HCR44 (2008) – Endorsing Electoral College

Sponsors: Bob Dixon (now a Senator), Mark Parkinson

HCR44 (2008) – ENDORSING ELECTORAL COLLEGE

ALEC Model Resolution http://ow.ly/5Ncca

HCR44 http://ow.ly/5Ncd3
WHEREAS, the Founding Fathers rejected having the President of the United States elected by a national popular vote and instead chose the Electoral College system; and Whereas, the Founding Fathers rejected having the President of the United States elected by a popular vote and instead chose the electoral college system; and
WHEREAS, the current Electoral College system encourages presidential candidates to campaign in large metropolitan areas and also in rural areas and small states; and Whereas, the current electoral college system encourages presidential candidates to campaign in large metropolitan areas and also in rural areas and small states; and
WHEREAS, the current Electoral College system ensures that the winning Presidential candidate has support from multiple regions of the country; and Whereas, the current electoral college system ensures that the winning presidential candidate has support from multiple regions of the country; and
WHEREAS, the current Electoral College system respects the Founders’ strong belief that individual states should have a vital role in electing the President of the United States; and Whereas, the current electoral college respects the Founding Fathers' strong belief that individual states should have a vital role in electing the President of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact diminishes the importance of individual states in presidential elections; and Whereas, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact diminishes the importance of individual states in presidential elections; and
WHEREAS, the current Electoral College system respects the separation of and balance of power and authority between the States and the Federal government; and Whereas, the current electoral college system respects the separation of and balance of power and authority between the States and the Federal government; and
WHEREAS, the current Electoral College system ensures that (insert state)’s electoral votes are awarded based on how the majority of the State’s citizens vote; Whereas, the current electoral college system ensures that Missouri's electoral votes are awarded based on how the majority of the State's citizens vote; and

WHEREAS, under the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, (insert states)’s electoral votes could be awarded to a candidate that the majority of the State’s citizens did not vote for; and

Whereas, under the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, Missouri's electoral votes could be awarded to a candidate that the majority of the State's citizens did not vote for; and
WHEREAS, the current Electoral College system is better suited to handle recounts because they happen at the state level, which is more manageable than if they were to happen at the national level as they might if the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact were adopted; and Whereas, the current electoral college system is better suited to handle recounts because they happen at the state level, which is more manageable than if they were to happen at the national level as they might if the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is adopted; and
WHEREAS, the current Electoral College system creates a needed balance between agrarian and industrial interests; and Whereas, the current electoral college system creates a needed balance between agrarian and industrial interests; and
WHEREAS, the current Electoral College system best preserves our two-party system and prevents the fracture of America’s political structure; and Whereas, the current electoral college system best preserves our two-party system and prevents the fracture of America's political structure; and
WHEREAS, the United States Congress has rejected over 1000 amendments to the Constitution to change the Electoral College, including amendments to change to a popular vote system; and Whereas, the United States Congress has rejected over 1000 amendments to the Constitution to change the electoral college, including amendments to change to a popular vote system; and
WHEREAS, the constitutionality of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is questionable because Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution states that no state, without the consent of Congress, may “enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State.”

Whereas, the constitutionality of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is questionable because Article I, Section 10 of the United States Constitution states that no state, without the consent of Congress, may "enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State":

 
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the State of (insert state) endorses its current Electoral College system as the best way to elect the President of the United States. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fourth General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby endorse our current electoral college system as the best way to elect the President of the United States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State of (insert state) shall defeat any legislation that creates a multi-state compact for the purpose of dismantling its current Electoral College System.

Adopted by the Criminal Justice Task Force at the Annual Meeting, August 2007. Approved by the ALEC Board of Directors September 2007

 Be it further resolved that the General Assembly shall defeat any legislation that creates a multi-state compact for the purpose of dismantling our current electoral college system.