Editor's note: On September 30 Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 2948, which would have committed California to join an interstate compact to ensure that the winner of the national popular vote is elected President.

Marin Ranked Voting has not taken a position on the National Popular Vote plan discussed in this letter from Californians for Electoral Reform president Steve Chessin. For more information, download the attachment at the end of this article, and visit National Popular Vote and FairVote's Presidential Elections Reform Program.

By Steve Chessin

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Dear CfER Member,

I am writing to you today regarding legislation currently before the California legislature that will likely soon be headed to Governor Schwarzenegger for his consideration. The legislation is AB 2948, a bill sponsored by National Popular Vote that would establish a nationwide popular election of the President through concerted state-based legislation. Californians for Electoral Reform endorsed this legislation in May of this year, and I am writing to ask that you take action to support this bill.

Some background on the issue and the National Popular Vote plan, embodied in the California legislation AB 2948.

a. The problem is that most states are completely ignored during the presidential campaign process as a result of the current system for electing the President. Voters are disenfranchised as a result, and the policy needs of most states are not discussed as part of the process. In fact, over 92% of all campaigns visits and advertising during the peak campaign period are concentrated in just 16 states, with two-thirds of all attention concentrated in just 5 states. The current system leaves the decision for who will be President to these battleground states, while California and most other states sit on the sidelines.

b. Nationwide popular election of the President is supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans (over 70% in recent polls).

c. National Popular Vote has developed an innovative proposal that is constitutionally sound that allows states to implement a nationwide popular election of the president through state-based legislation.

d. Since National Popular Vote's initial press conference in February 2006, National Popular Vote legislation has passed -- with both Democratic and Republican votes -- in the Colorado State Senate (SB 223 on April 17) and the California State Assembly (AB 2948 on May 30) and the California Senate (AB 2948 on August 22). The National Popular Vote plan has been endorsed by the New York Times, the Chicago Sun Times, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Sacramento Bee, the Los Angeles Times, and others.

In order for this legislation to be successful in California, the Governor needs to hear from citizens like you to encourage him to sign the bill when it reaches his desk. We need you to take action immediately and contact the Governor, either by phone or fax, and ask that he support AB 2948.

You can contact the Governor at the following address or phone/fax numbers:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633

Thank you.

Steve Chessin is president of Californians for Electoral Reform.