One Person, One Vote Committee

Let's Abolish the Electoral College

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Nelson Mandela

Every elected office in the U.S. -- mayor, senator, governor, all of them -- is elected directly by the people. Every office, that is, except the office of President, which is elected not by you and me but by the Electoral College. Why do we insert the Electoral College into the process of choosing our highest office, where it takes away the right of each of us to have our votes counted equally? We can do better.

 At our national convention in Denver in 2022, the League of Women Voters of the U.S. announced what then-president Dr. Deborah Turner described as a “moonshot”: to pass a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College and replace it with a national popular vote for President.

A “moonshot” is a big, audacious goal (like going to the moon!) It is expected to take concerted effort over many years. And it will sometimes seem unlikely, maybe even impossible, until one day it happens.

Our League has organized a group to work on this issue. Together we will:

·      learn about the Electoral College and the Interstate Compact and educate our members

·      give talks to groups and classes in our county and beyond

·      write letters to the editor

·      create social media posts

·      connect with members of other Leagues who are working on One Person, One Vote

It’s a thrilling, daunting project! Would you like to join?  We meet monthly to check in and organize our efforts, and I’d love to include you in the work, whether you can do a big piece or a small one. Please contact me if you'd like to be included.

Margaret Lukens, board member