Coloradans will decide on the national popular vote in 2020. Here’s what you need to know.

In presidential contests, should Colorado join other states and agree to award its Electoral College votes to the winner of the national popular vote?

Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump, pictured here during the Feb. 5, 2019, State of the Union address. (Photo by Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images)
Vice President Mike Pence, President Donald Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, pictured here during the Feb. 5, 2019, State of the Union address. (Photo by Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images)

Colorado will decide by popular vote whether it supports electing presidents by popular vote.

The Secretary of State on Thursday certified that petitioners opposed to Colorado’s participation in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact have collected enough signatures to place the matter on the November 2020 ballot.

This is a direct challenge to a bill passed earlier this year and signed into law by Democratic Gov. Jared Polis. The bill provoked a significant party-line fight at the Capitol, during which Democrats — who control the state House and Senate — expended much more political capital than they’d planned for. Republicans seeking to recall Polis and various Democratic lawmakers have alleged the bill is a key example of overreach during the past session.

According to the Secretary of State, Colorado hasn’t seen a state law challenged on the ballot since 1932, when voters overturned a tax on margarine.

In March, reporter Corey Hutchins went long for The Independent on the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. You’ve got plenty of time to figure out your vote between now and next November, but if you’re curious about what all this means, take a spin through the piece:

Electoral College protest movement: Colorado’s role, and how reform would change the way we pick presidents

The Colorado Independent is a statewide online news source operating in a time when spin is plentiful, but factual, fair and unflinching news in the public interest is all too rare. Our award-winning team of veteran investigative and explanatory reporters and news columnists aims to amplify the voices of Coloradans whose stories are unheard, shine light on the relationships between people, power and policy, and hold public officials to account. We strive to report the news with context, social conscience, and soul, and to give Coloradans the insight they need to promote conversation, understanding and progress in this square, swing state we call home.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Yet another recall??

    Looks like Colorado Conservatives are having a very hard time coming to terms with the state’s shifting political allegiances.

    While entertaining, these shenanigans will pale in comparison to the tantrums that Texas Republicans are going to start throwing when they realize their state is next.

  2. Maybe they should have passed a law so that some (half?) go with the national vote and the rest go with the state vote.

  3. How is this a “liberal” initiative?
    How is Colorado surrendering it’s choice based on what larger states want a “win” for liberty?

    This movement is as defective as the current schema.

    Yes, 2016 went contrary to Colorado’s popular vote, but people need to consider the LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.
    This new failed system can just as easily come back to bite its supporters in the future.

    I’m no fan of nor supporter of the current Electorate system, but this is a poorly constructed, non-solution.

    For every problem there are multiple ways to approach a solution, some meaningful/sustainable solutions, others not.
    This movement is leading its complacent followers towards future failures.
    That’s not a viable “fix”.

    It’s like putting a can of Fix A Flat in a flat tire.
    It may provide a quick fix for an immediate problem, but it’ll dry out the tire rubber, causing premature failure, cause rotational balance problems, and rust or corrode the rims, leading to bigger problems in the future.

    The Law of Unintended Consequences.

  4. Present Electoral College, ensures all 50 states are involved. With replacement pushed by Leftists, only a few (very few) large states would be picking the President and small , or medium states would have no say. This would ensue Democrat President, or even worse a Socialist one from now on. Fast way to become Socialist or worse , country in quick time.

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