House of Delegates Passes NPV

The House of Delegates voted 85-54 to pass HB 148 on third reading. Debate went on for over an hour on the floor, where the bill was vigorously defended by Dels. Sheila Hixson, Kumar Barve, Craig Rice, and many others. Governor O'Malley now promises to sign the bill when it reaches his desk.

UPDATE: The bill has now arrived on the Governor's desk for signing!

Senate Passes NPV

After defeating three amendments intended to gut the legislation, the Maryland Senate passed the National Popular Vote plan with a vote of 29-17. On the same day, the House Ways and Means Committee gave the cross-filed bill a favorable report. Three new sponsors were added, Sen. Mac Middleton, Catherine Pugh, and P.J. Hogan.

UPDATE: The Baltimore Sun gives its cautious endorsement.

Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland Endorses National Popular Vote

After a unanimous approval by the legislative committee of Maryland's black caucus, the bill was approved unanimously today by the black caucus as a whole. The letter of support written by the caucus will be available soon.

Public Hearings in House

The Ways and Means Committee heard testimony from former Congressman John Buchanan, National Popular Vote's Larry Sokol, and FairVote Maryland's Ryan O'Donnell on Tuesday.


National Popular Vote's Larry Sokol, former Congressman John Buchanan and FairVote Maryland's Ryan O'Donnell

Eight House Sponsors for NPV

Seven members of the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees the Election Law Subcommittee, hopped on to the National Popular Vote bill today.

The new sponsors include Majority Leader Kumar Barve.

• Del. Sheila Hixson - Chair of Ways and Means
• Del. Kumar Barve - House Majority Leader
• Del. Carolyn J. B. Howard
• Del. Nancy King
• Del. Craig Rice
• Del. John Olszewski, Jr.
• Del. Frank S. Turner
• Del. Peter F. Murphy

Progressive Maryland Endorses NPV

The National Popular Vote bill won and endorsement today from Progressive Maryland, a statewide membership group. We're pleased to have the endorsement of our ally that has been so effective in Annapolis.

So, Why Should Marylanders Want a National Popular Vote for President?

Americans have consistently and overwhelming supported a national popular vote for President over the current system. In theory, candidates must to compete in 51 separate contests to win election. But in practice, presidential campaigns focus on a smaller and smaller set of "battleground states" --that is, states where the vote could go either way.

Maryland joins 2/3 of the country in being a "spectator state." Time after time, Maryland's voters and Maryland's interests are completely ignored. In 2004, there were zero visits by a presidential or vice-presidential candidate to our state, organizing and engagement through advertising were at anemic levels. In short, the campaign skipped Maryland.

FairVote Action Maryland is backing the National Popular Vote plan, which seeks to change the way we elect the president by pursuing action in state legislatures, and taking advantage of the Constitutionally-protected right of state to change how their allocate their electoral votes. Let's make Maryland count in this, the most important election we vote in!

Maryland's Democratic Promise

Fixing our elections in America is a national concern. But on the list of states in a position to make real progress Maryland stands near the top.

Not long ago, Marylanders were reminded of the need to look at how we run elections, after the meltdowns of these past elections as well as the Primary election of September 12. From insufficient staffing to lost data cards, to uncertain rules for provisional ballots, our polling places looked more like a circus than an efficient, accountable system.

Maryland can and should run better elections. And it should do more. We have the opportunity to make exciting and beneficial policy changes, from getting all young people registered to vote, to making Maryland more relevant in presidential elections.

These are exciting times. We hope you'll glance at our Democracy Agenda for 2007. Thanks for visiting!

Our Mission

FairVote Action Maryland pursues a better democracy in the public interest.

2007 Goals

National Popular Vote

Advance Registration of Young Voters