UPDATED: DE National Popular Vote Bill (SB 22) Passes in DE Senate & House

UPDATED  3/14/19   5:25pm – Senate Bill 22 – which would enact the National Popular Vote compact – has passed in the State House with a 24 to 17 vote. The National Popular Vote compact requires that each member state award its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who received the largest number of popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The National Popular Vote compact becomes effective when it is enacted by states collectively possessing a majority of the electoral votes. When the National Popular Vote compact takes effect, the presidential candidate receiving the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia would be guaranteed enough electoral votes in the Electoral College to be elected to the Presidency. The measure now goes to the Governor for his signature.

The compact would become active when its members’ collective electoral votes total at least 270 — the minimum number needed to secure a presidential victory.

Thus far, 12 jurisdictions (Hawaii, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, Vermont, California, New York, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia), possessing a total of 172 electoral votes, have joined the compact.

The Colorado legislature recently approved the National Popular Vote bill and will become a party to the compact as soon its governor signs the measure.  With The Centennial State in the fold, the compact’s collective vote total will climb to 181.

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UPDATED  3/7/19 – 9PM – The state Senate passed legislation on Thursday that adds Delaware to a growing alliance of states committed to guaranteeing the winner of the U.S. presidency is the candidate who receives a majority of votes from across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Delaware Senate voted 14 to 7 for the measure which now goes to the State House for consideration. The State House has passed similar measures – in 2009 and 2011.

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UPDATED – 3-7-19  7AM – Senate Bill 22 is currently the only item on the State Senate agenda this afternoon.

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UPDATED – 6:10PM – On February 27th, Senate Bill 22 was introduced – the National Popular Vote Compact bill. Since the bill has been released – at least two co-sponsors have requested their names be removed. 37th District Representative Ruth Briggs King says that her name was listed as a sponsor, but she never signed on to the bill and has asked that her name be removed. Today Representative Jeff Spiegelman (District 11) also asked that his name be removed as a co-sponsor from the bill and said that he would not vote in favor of the measure if it comes up for a vote in the State House. In a release he stated there was overwhelming opposition to the legislation from his constituents. SB 22 was before the Senate Elections, Govt. & Community Affairs Committee this afternoon where it was reported out of committee with a 4 to 0 on its merits.                CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SB 22