Vermont Is Eighth State to Enact National Popular Vote Bill

State-based plan signed into law by Governor Shumlin

MONTPELIER, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Popular Vote bill, which passed the Vermont House of Representatives last week, was signed into law by Governor Peter Shumlin today. The National Popular Vote plan seeks to guarantee the presidency to the winner of the National Popular Vote in all 50 states.

“Today, Vermont becomes the eighth state to send the signal that the winner-take-all system is broken, and that every vote should count equally.”

“In enacting this bill, Vermont is taking back its voice in the national election” said Tom Golisano, national spokesperson for National Popular Vote. “12 of the 13 smallest states in the union received essentially no attention from either candidate in 2008.”

Last year, the National Popular Vote passed the New York Senate with 22 of 27 Republicans and 30 of 32 Democrats voting in favor of the bill. In 2008, candidates spent 98% of their money and campaign visits on just 15 states. Vermont has long been considered a “safe” state, largely ignored by presidential candidates of both parties.

“We congratulate Governor Shumlin and Vermont’s legislators for making the right decision for the people of Vermont,” said John Koza, Chairman of National Popular Vote. “Today, Vermont becomes the eighth state to send the signal that the winner-take-all system is broken, and that every vote should count equally.”

Hawaii, Washington, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia have already enacted the bill, which would award a state’s electoral votes to the winner of the overall popular vote in all 50 states. When states totaling 270 electoral votes pass the legislation, National Popular Vote will award a majority of electoral votes to the candidate who wins the most popular votes in all fifty states, guaranteeing the presidency. Vermont represents the 77^th electoral vote, 29% of the total needed for the bill to go into effect.

“We encourage other states to join Vermont in saying that there should not be battleground states and safe states. Only voters and votes,” added Golisano ”After all, we’re electing the President of the United States, not the President of the Battleground States.”

For more information, visit www.nationalpopularvote.com or call Pat Rosenstiel at 612.670.9465.