Legislation to bring California into the National Popular Vote plan to reform presidential elections passed the Senate by a margin of 23 to 14. The passage follows approval by the California Assembly on May 30th. The bill now returns to the Assembly to reconcile the two versions.

The National Popular Vote plan continues to gain support across the country. Identical legislation has passed the Colorado State Senate, passed a key Louisiana committee, had a hearing in Missouri, won bipartisan and independent support among legislators in Illinois and has been introduced into the New York Assembly. Legislation is likely in dozens of states in 2007.

[ Urge Governor Schwarzenegger to sign AB 2948 ]
[ Rob Richie's Letter to the Governor ]
[Associated Press Story]
[FairVote�s Presidential Elections Inequality Report]
[National Popular Vote]

Day One, Thursday: Governor Michael Easley signed H1024 into law, making the first statewide use of IRV a reality. North Carolina will begin to use instant runoff voting for statewide elections for judicial office vacancies and to let 10 cities and 10 counties try IRV starting in 2007.

Day Two, Friday: By a margin of 12 to 1, the Minneapolis City Council voted again to put instant runoff voting on the ballot for November. The vote reaffirms a May 26 vote to use IRV for city elections.

[ IRV in North Carolina ]
[ Minnesota's Better Ballot Campaign ]
[ FairVote Minnesota ]