Editor’s note: This op-ed is by Sen. Jeanette White, D-Windham.
Your vote should count; that is why I support a popular vote for president. The Electoral College currently does not allow for Vermont’s voice to be heard during the all-important presidential campaigns. Like 75 percent of Vermonters I think every vote should be equal and the candidate with the most votes should win. That is why I am proud to sponsor the National Popular Vote bill — which brings states together to reform the Electoral College into a system that guarantees the presidency to the candidate with the most votes in the country.
This bill has already passed over 25 percent of the states needed to bring about a popular vote for President.
Not everyone agrees with our goal, but I’d like to examine some of the key points opponents put forward. Opponents claim that Vermont’s votes would lose half their value because we have a bigger share of the Electoral College than we do as a percentage of the U.S. population. This ignores that political influence has nothing to do with a state’s size. As an example, in the fall of 2008, presidential candidates visited New Hampshire 12 times without even once crossing the river to say hello to Vermonters.
The reason we’re ignored is simple: What matters in the current system is whether or not a state is closely divided. Vermont is a reliable “blue” state. New Hampshire is more divided so candidate’s court voters across the river while Vermonters are taken for granted.
Big states don’t necessarily benefit from the current system either. Texas is ignored because they’re predictably “red.” In total, 35 states fall into the “flyover” category — we don’t get polled and don’t see candidates because we are simply not important to winning the election. That is why, in the fall of 2008, 66 percent of the campaign money went to six states and 98 percent of the money and visits went to just 15 states.
Critics also suggest that the national popular vote bill is flawed because there will be times when Vermont’s electors will go to the candidate that Vermont didn’t choose. I’m not sure about you, but I don’t wake up the day after Election Day and scramble to see which presidential candidate won Vermont; rather I want to know who will be in the White House. I didn’t celebrate Sen. Kerry winning Vermont while George Bush earned his second term. It may be true, if we operate under the national popular vote mechanism, that Vermont will not always back the winner. But the voters of Vermont will always have a voice in the outcome and influence the issues debated. Vermont will matter and the basic principle of one person, one vote will be supported through the national popular vote mechanism.
Another argument utilized by opponents to scare voters is the suggestion that this state action is a backdoor attempt to change our Constitution. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Constitution clearly states: “Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors…” The state right embedded in our system has been ruled as an “exclusive” and “plenary” power by the Supreme Court. The Founders wanted the states to make the Electoral College work for them. I believe our Founders would be proud of states coming together to create a popular vote since 35 states aren’t getting anything from the way the system works today.
When every vote is equal, Vermont will no longer be left on the sidelines. Sitting presidents will consider Vermont values as he/she sets the agenda and debates the issues. Candidates will no longer pamper New Hampshire and a few other states while they ignore most of us. I stand with a strong majority of Vermonters who favor a popular vote for president and look forward to joining with other states to ensure our voice is heard.
