On Presidents Day, Senate Passes Legislation to Bring More Fairness to Way President Is Elected & Recognize National Popular Vote
Santa Fe, NM — Senator Mimi Stewart passed Senate Bill 42 which would allocate New Mexico’s Electoral College votes to the winner of the national popular vote. Under the current system, New Mexico is overlooked by presidential candidates because it is not seen to be a “battleground” or “swing state.”
Enacting the legislation would join New Mexico in an agreement with the group of states that make up The National Popular Vote Compact and who would allocate their electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote. The compact will go into effect when the states who have signed on to reach 270 electoral votes – the amount of electoral votes needed to elect the president. To date, 10 states and DC have passed legislation needed to enter the compact for a combined total of 165 electoral votes.
“The current system of electing the President of the United States leads to the voices of New Mexico voters being overlooked and ignored,” said Senator Mimi Stewart. “Too many New Mexicans feel like they have been left out of the process in deciding who will serve as our nation’s leader. By doing our part to move towards a national popular vote we can begin the process of regaining the voters’ trust in our elections and ensure their voices are equal to every voter across the country.”
The legislation now continues to the House of Representatives where it will be heard in committee before it is considered by the entire chamber. During her tenure in the House of Representatives, Senator Stewart previously passed legislation to enter New Mexico into the National Popular Vote Compact through the House of Representatives.