Date: 04/10/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB06-223

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 06-223 to the Committee of the WPASS


02:10 PM -- Senate Bill 06-223

Senator Gordon, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 06-223 concerning the adoption of an interstate compact for the election of the President of the United States by national popular vote. The bill allows for a change in the way Colorado's presidential electors are chosen, authorizing the Governor to enter into an interstate compact to elect the President of the United States by national popular vote. The bill also sets forth the provisions of the compact, which only takes effect if enacted in states cumulatively possessing a majority of electoral votes. If enacted, the compact would supersede any conflicting provisions of Colorado law.

Under current law, each political party designates presidential electors pledged to support that party's candidate for president and vice president. Electors for the party that wins the most Colorado votes go on to participate in the electoral college. Under the compact, the electors from the party of the candidate that wins the national popular vote would participate in the electoral college.


02:16 PM

Senator Gordon discussed his rationale for supporting this bill, stating that electing the President of the United States by popular vote is the most democratic way of conducting an election. He read a quotation by former U.S. Representative John Anderson that illustrates his position. The committee had an extensive discussion of the pros and cons of elections that are decided by a majority of the popular vote.


02:32 PM

The committee continued discussing the concept of equality of individuals versus the equality of states.

02:36 PM -- John Koza, National Popular Vote, spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. Coza is the lead author of Every Vote Equal: A State-Based Plan for Electing the President. He is part of a national movement to elect the president by popular vote. He believes this would circumvent the practice of spending large quantities of money on advertising to reach a very small percentage of voters in swing states. He discussed the possibility of recounts under a popular vote system.

02:40 PM -- Barry Fadem, National Popular Vote, spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. Fadem stated his belief that whichever candidate reaches out to the greatest number of citizens should be elected to represent that majority. Both witnesses responded to questions from the committee regarding the infrastructure changes needed to move from elections decided by the electoral college. Mr. Fadem responded to questions about popular support for a nationwide vote for President.

02:55 PM -- Pete Maysmith, Colorado Common Cause, spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. Maysmith discussed presidential campaigning and advertising resources. He provided statistics to emphasize his position. The committee engaged in an extensive discussion with Mr. Maysmith regarding the ultimate fairness of popular vote.

03:03 PM -- Mark Grueskin, National Popular Vote, spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. Grueskin discussed the differences between this bill and Amendment 36, which was proposed in 2004. Amendment 36 failed.


03:06 PM

Senator Gordon wrapped up his presentation of the bill. The committee members each discussed their points of view.
BILL:SB06-223
TIME: 03:16:24 PM
MOVED:Gordon
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 06-223 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a vote of 4-3.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Bacon
Yes
Dyer
No
Gordon
Yes
Mitchell
No
Traylor
No
Shaffer
Yes
Grossman
Yes
Final YES: 4 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



03:17 PM

Senator Grossman adjourned the committee.