---

U S CONSTITUTION. Memorializes Congress to propose a constitutional amendment to abolish the electoral college and provide for the election of president by popular vote.


A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

To memorialize the Congress of the United States to propose a constitutional amendment to abolish the electoral college and provide for the election of the president by popular vote.

WHEREAS, the United States Constitution does not provide for the election of the president by popular
vote, but instead provides for the selection of the president by electors from each state and the District of Columbia, known collectively as the electoral college; and

WHEREAS, as demonstrated most recently in 2000, the will of the people as expressed through popular vote can be thwarted in the electoral college; and

WHEREAS, authors have noted that, "The importance of the presidency in American life can scarcely be underestimated, and thus the way that office is filled must be a matter of major national concern."; and

WHEREAS, in the selection of our nation's leader all votes should have equal influence; and

WHEREAS, the right to vote, and to have such vote counted as equal to every other vote, is recognized as one of the most important and profound rights of a democracy and is a right that has been obtained and preserved through struggle and great hardship; and

WHEREAS, to render ineffective for all practical purposes such right to vote in a presidential election is unrepresentative, counter to the basic tenants of democracy, and results in manifest injustice; and

WHEREAS, all Americans eligible to vote should be given the equal right and responsibility to elect the president of the United States; and

WHEREAS, not only can the electoral college system reverse the popular vote winner, but the system can further result in electoral vote deadlock, with the result that the selection process goes to the United States House of Representatives for final resolution; and

WHEREAS, the electoral college system presents the potential for constitutional and social chaos, crisis, confusion, and uncertainty in our democratic process and the selection of our nation's president.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes the Congress of the United States to propose a constitutional amendment to abolish the electoral college and provide for the election of the president by popular vote.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana proposes that the legislatures of each of the several states comprising the United States apply to the United States Congress requesting the enactment of an appropriate proposal to amend the Constitution of the United States.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be transmitted to the president of the United States, the secretary of the United States Senate, and the clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of the Louisiana delegation to the United States Congress.

---

The original instrument was prepared by Jerry G. Jones. The following digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by Diane M. Burkhart.

---

McPherson (SCR 25)                                 DIGEST

Memorializes Congress to propose a constitutional amendment to abolish the electoral college and provide for the election of the president by popular vote.

Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate

Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs to the reengrossed bill.

1. Eliminates state legislative officials from the list of persons to whom a copy
is directed to be transmitted.


Back to "Pending Legislation"