1. Electoral College Caucus

2. Purpose
LWV-IL Electoral College Committee was established in 2017 to advocate for a constitutional amendment to replace the electoral college system with a direct vote for President and Vice President.
After overwhelming support at the 2017 LWV-IL Convention
LWV-US position since 1970
Reaffirmed via resolution at 2018 LWV-US Convention
“The 2018 Convention of the League of Women Voters of the United States urgently reaffirms its long-held position that the Electoral College should be abolished.”

3. National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
Clarification
An amendment to the U.S. Constitution is very different from the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
U.S. Constitutional Amendment
National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
Process is in the Constitution
Created by a computer science professor.
Clearly supported by the League
Acknowledged as temporary alternative until abolition achieved.
Permanently abolishes electoral college.
Does not abolish electoral college.
Would have widespread acceptance.
Compact states have all the power with half the electoral votes.
Firmly based on U.S. Constitution.
Loosely relies on sentence in U.S. Constitution.
Permanent, law of the land.
Members can withdraw in future elections and compact is undone.
Enforced by federal government.
Enforcement unclear.
Every vote counts.
Voters in Compact states have no choice.
Once passed, election process is clear.
If implemented, court challenges inevitable - disruptive and divisive.

4. Electoral College is Bad for Democracy
Reasons
Abolishing the electoral college is a natural part of the
"The Campaign for Making Democracy Work®" for everyone.
Electoral College is Bad for Democracy
Direct Election will…
Creates a disincentive to vote
Decreases voter turnout
Polarizes our nation
Counts some votes more heavily than others
Makes us more vulnerable to election fraud and hacking
Decreases our access to candidates
Allows the loser of the national popular vote to win the presidency
Increase voter turnout and participation
Bring us together as a nation
Count every vote equally, no matter where we live
Increase our election security by making it harder to influence the outcome
Increase our access to candidates and widen the geographic scope of their campaign visits
Ensure that the will of the people is heard and that the candidate most favored by voters wins the election

5. Benefits
Working to abolish the Electoral College will benefit the LWV and help achieve our Transformational Objectives.
Engage new individuals
Increase external perception of “One League”
Generate excitement about the LWV
Provide much-needed leadership on a problem that many believe our country is ready to solve

6. Two-pronged strategy to accomplish our objectives
Educate
Advocate
Created PowerPoint presentation with script and handouts
Offered materials to all local Leagues
Over 50 presentations given
Over 2,000 people reached
In 11 states… and counting
Support individuals who want to advocate as constituents with their Congress members
Postcards and scripts
Presentation packet for meetings with legislators
Experts available to attend meetings

7. What Can You Do? Vote at Convention Bring it home
Approve abolishing the electoral college as an LWV-IL recommended action focus
Vote for the “Will of Convention” to ask LWV-US to support making the abolition of the electoral college by constitutional amendment an action focus at the 2020 LWV-US convention
Bring it home
Educate the public using our materials (or invite us to present)
Advocate: provide local constituents with support for postcard parties and/or meetings with members of Congress
Communicate to LWV-US via program planning in January that abolishing the electoral college via constitutional amendment should be an action focus

8. Contact Us Brought to you by: abolishelectoral@gmail.com
lwvwilmette.org/electoral-college-reform.html
facebook.com/abolishelectoralcollegelwv
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