The national popular vote bill is an interstate compact that goes into effect when enough states sign on so that their electoral votes total to 270. Imagine, not red and blue states, but purple states (see my other posts for seeing variety beyond red, blue, and even purple).

This could bring us one step closer to a national popular vote. If the governor signs this, Massachusetts will add its 12 electoral votes to make it 73/270 of what is needed. Massachusetts would join the company of Illinois, New Jersey, Hawaii, Maryland, and Washington.

Let’s look at why this is good. Right now, if you live in a smaller state, you get an unfair advantage. And, if you live in a swing state, then you have an unfair advantage. Every vote that goes over the majority mark for any individual state is useless. And that’s why candidates limit their campaigning to a few swing states.

People in populated areas will have more weight to their vote, you say? No way. A popular vote will weight them exactly the same. Living in a remote area should not afford you more weight for your vote.

Violates states’ rights, you say? It’s the states that are using their rights to allocate their electoral votes.

Candidates will run crappy coverage in their campaigns? Not so much. They will go so that they can strategically hit as many people as possible and push their base. What’s wrong with campaigning to as many people as possible?

For more on the national popular vote, see here: National Popular Vote