Cuomo signs New York into National Popular Vote compact

According to a CapitalNewYork.com report, Governor Andrew Cuomo is set to sign the National Popular Vote bill, an accord which will coudl elect a president by popular vote and circumvent the Electoral College. The report said that Cuomo's signing will have the 29 electoral votes of New York to commit to the 136 the interstate compact already has. The compact would reportedly take effect should it reach 270 of pledged votes, which the equivalent of the majority number in the Electoral College.

In a statement, Cuomo said about the accord, "With the passage of this legislation, New York is taking a bold step to fundamentally increase the strength and fairness of our nation's presidential elections. By aligning the Electoral College with the voice of the nation's voters, we are ensuring the equality of votes and encouraging candidates to appeal to voters in all states, instead of disproportionately focusing on early contests and swing states... I am particularly heartened to sign this legislation as it embodies both in process and substance the Empire State's tradition as a national progressive leader."

The popular vote bill has been passed on both houses of the legislature since March 25 after several years. On the other hand, the bill has a stipulation that requires proponents of the legislation to ensure that they get the required Electoral College majority by 2018. CapitalNewYork.com said that the New York bill has a provision that says that the state will no longer be bound to the legislation if it does not take effect by that year.

During the debate about the National Popular Vote Bill on the Assembly floor, the proponents increased their efforts to make sure that it gets its required number of votes by arguing that the bil will benefit New York in a way that it will make the state a battleground for presidential candidates. Opponents of the bill, on the other hand, said that Cuomo should stand down to preserve state history.

Tags

National Popular Vote bill, Electoral College, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

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