Colorado Senate Passes a Bill Sticking It to the Electoral College

The Electoral College is one of the most heinous blights eating away at the American democracy. The concept was originally crafted by the founding fathers so that learned men could steer the unwashed masses in the “right direction,” a classist policy that continues to poison government. After all, it is part of why we have Donald Trump in office, as he nabbed the most electoral votes even though Hillary Clinton won the popular vote.

On Tuesday, however, the Colorado Senate passed a bill that brings us one tiny, baby step closer to eliminating the U.S.’ reliance on the Electoral College. As reported by KDVR and the Associated Press, the legislation requires the state to allot its presidential electoral votes to whichever candidate wins the national popular vote—as opposed to the current system in which Colorado Electors to the Electoral College cast their vote for whoever wins in Colorado.

The bill, introduced by Democratic Sen. Mike Foote, passed along party lines, with Republicans denouncing the bill as unconstitutional.

Every Dem in the Senate just voted to pass @NatlPopularVote from @SenMikeFoote. #onepersononevote is on its way to becoming a reality in CO! #coleghttps://t.co/WOEhGozNX3

— Colorado Senate Dems (@COSenDem) January 29, 2019

“This really is a victory for those who believe that every vote should be counted equally,” Foote (D-Lafayette) told KDVR and the AP upon the bill’s passing.

However, the legislation only takes effect once the Democrat-controlled House and the governor pass it, and, most importantly, after the necessary number of states join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Washington, D.C. and 11 states have committed to the compact, racking up a combined 172 electoral votes. 98 more electoral votes are required for the compact to kick in—and Colorado would provide nine of them.

Even after overcoming those hurdles, though, the compact would most likely come up against a national lawsuit.