Lucas,
With everyone's mind still on the 2010 elections, it might seem like a strange time to think about the presidential elections in 2012, 2016, 2020 and beyond.
But right now, citizens of New York State have a unique opportunity to help fix the way the United States elects its president.
A bill before the New York State Assembly called the "National Popular Vote Bill" (A.1580B) would help fix the Electoral College so the winner of the national vote doesn't lose the electoral vote - an un-democratic circumstance that last occurred in 2000. The bill also is making progress in other state legislatures across the nation.
Tell your New York State Assembly member to pass the National Popular Vote Bill.
After New York passes the bill, it will add its 31 electoral votes to the 76 in states where the bill has already passed (Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington and the District of Columbia).
To take effect, the bill must be passed by states holding at a majority of electoral votes nationwide.
Other states are sure to follow New York's lead! Urge your Assembly member to pass the bill:
http://www.citizen.org/national-popular-vote
National Popular Vote already has passed the New York State Senate, and in the Assembly, it has enough cosponsors to pass.
But in order to pass the bill, we need Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to call a vote.
If you can, follow up your email by calling Speaker Silver's office in Albany: (518) 455-3791. After you make the call, let us know with an email to action@citizen.org .
Thanks for all you do,
Rick Claypool
Public Citizen's Online Action Team
