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A new bill in New Hampshire aims to shake up the traditional way the state awards its electoral votes in a presidential election. The legislation seeks to split the state’s five electoral votes among congressional districts, rather than awarding them based on the statewide popular vote.
The proposal is being touted by Republican lawmakers as a way to give voters in each district a sense of ownership and accountability over the outcome of the election. “We want voters to feel their vote counts,” said Sen. Regina Barrow, who introduced the bill.
New Hampshire is known for its first-in-the-nation primary, but this move would drastically change the dynamics of the presidential election process. The state has traditionally awarded its five electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote statewide, as is the case in most states.
The proposal comes at a time when there are increasing calls for electoral reform across the nation. Some argue that the current system can lead to candidates focusing on swing states and neglecting other areas with potentially more critical issues facing the country.
While Maine has already implemented a similar system, dividing its four electoral votes by congressional district since 2012, New Hampshire’s attempt is noteworthy given the state’s historical status as the first primary state.
Democratic state Sen. Debra Altschiller strongly opposes the bill, stating that it is “completely out of line with New Hampshire values.” She went on to suggest that if the state wants to follow Maine’s lead, there are more progressive initiatives they should be considering.
“Universal free lunch for all students and background checks on firearms purchases would be a better use of our time,” Altschiller argued. “We don’t always take our marching orders from other states.”
Despite this opposition, it appears that the bill will still pass through the Republican-controlled Senate due to their supermajority. It is then expected to head to the state House of Representatives, where Republicans also hold a significant majority.
In New Hampshire, which has the largest state legislature in the country with 424 lawmakers, some argue that this change could lead to more focused campaigning and better representation of local concerns at the federal level.
In an effort to promote voter engagement and accountability, Republican lawmakers are trying to find ways to give voters a greater sense of control over the election process.
Source: www.foxnews.com
