Letters: National Popular Vote - Loveland Reporter-Herald

One person, one vote, majority wins

From where I stand the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPV), which became law in Colorado in 2019, is not well understood by the majority of Coloradans. Fear is being used to undo it in the 2020 election. To the opponents of NPV: What are you afraid of?

Why shouldn’t the United States president be chosen by the majority of Americans across our country? We directly choose our senators, our governors, and our mayors. Surely choosing the president is even more important. One person, one vote, and majority wins.

With the current system, a president can be elected by the Electoral College without winning the popular vote. It’s happened twice in 16 years — 2000 and 2016. This makes people feel the process totally short circuits what the majority wants. If you are a red voter in a solidly blue state (or vice versa), your red vote doesn’t go any further than the border of your state. Many minority party voters don’t bother to vote in presidential elections in these states. Turnout is higher in swing states where the candidates concentrate all their attention and promises.

Under the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, each signing state agrees with other signing states to award their electoral votes to the National Popular Vote winner in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Everyone’s vote gets counted in that national count. Everyone’s vote is equal. But it doesn’t become effective until enough states — red and blue — equal 270 electoral votes, the number needed to win the presidency. Currently, states totaling 196 electoral votes have signed on to NPV.

Let’s guarantee that our future presidents are elected by the majority of the people living in the United States of America. Vote yes in 2020 and reaffirm the National Popular Vote in Colorado.

Linda Thomas

Loveland