Dear Editor:

Bill LD 1578, known as the National Popular Vote (NPV), would simply award Maine’s vote in the electoral college to the presidential candidate who received the most U.S. votes. If Mainers voted for candidate x and candidate y received more nation-wide votes, our electors would cast their votes contrary to the will of Maine voters. Why would our elected officials even consider a potential nullification of their constituent’s vote?

The electoral college was a hard-fought effort by the smaller states, think Rhode Island, to keep themselves relevant. One of the claims large states make is that voters in a small state like Nebraska have five times as much impact as voters in the biggest states.

 I can understand why big states would want (NPV). It must be humbling that undereducated hicks, farmers, and mere laborers from small backward states engage in something as important as choosing a president. What I don’t understand is why Maine, with its pride, heritage, and state motto Dirigo, I lead, would vote to make itself insignificant and surrender its power. A state motto change should be included in this bill, perge sequar, I follow.

There are many reasons to maintain our current system besides the potential nullification of Mainer’s vote. It has worked well for 250 years. We are a Republic, not a Democracy for a good reason. It prevents the tyranny of the majority, maintains the power of the individual states, and maintains the power of the people. The electoral college is a barrier to election fraud. Our present system requires fraudulent action across several states to steal an election. Under NPV this could be accomplished by a single large state.

The potential for unintended consequences is almost unlimited. Potentially, even probably, the election outcome could require a nation-wide recount. At present, nothing in the bill addresses this and there is no process. It could take months or even be impossible to determine who won. We the people cannot accept the risk to our Republic that this bill brings. This bill must fail if Maine is to lead.   

Joe Grant

Wiscasset