There are dozens of issues facing thoughtful citizens at this time. Folks appear to be galvanized in new ways to make their voices heard on topics ranging from abortion to immigration, air quality to racism. We have plenty of topics nationwide, and plenty in Montana, necessitating we educate ourselves and express our opinions.
I’d like us in Montana to consider signing on to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The NPVIC is an agreement among a group of U.S. states and the District of Columbia to award all their respective electoral votes to whichever presidential candidate wins the overall popular vote. Thus far ten states and the District of Columbia have signed on. Proposed in the form of an interstate compact, the agreement would go into effect among the participating states in the compact only after they collectively represent an absolute majority of votes (currently at least 270) in the Electoral College.
Our current system forces candidates to focus on a small percentage of pivotal swing states, while sidelining the rest. A study by FairVote reported that the 2004 candidates devoted most of their peak season campaign resources to just five states, while the other 45 states received very little attention. The report also indicated that 18 states received no candidate visits and no TV advertising. This means that swing state issues receive more attention, while issues important to other states are largely ignored, as are their voters who hunger for policy discussions by candidates.
Our legislature doesn’t have enough time to debate the Compact issue this year. But we can urge our local representatives to craft a bill to join the Compact next time they meet. Joining it would allow Montana’s low population to be fairly represented; each vote would have more weight than it does now, since the Electoral College system tends to decrease voter turnout in states without close races. Let us dare to fashion a participatory democracy in which debate and knowledgeable voters decide our and our children’s futures.
Star Jameson
Hamilton