Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Government Operations & Elections Committee |
HB 1091
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Changing provisions relating to presidential electors.
Sponsors: Representatives Shea, Overstreet, Taylor, Condotta and MacEwen.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/29/13
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).
Background:
Candidates for president and vice president of the United States are not elected by direct popular vote. The candidates are elected by the electoral college, whose delegates are chosen by the states. Each state has the same number of presidential electors as it has United States Representatives and Senators combined.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia select their presidential electors based on the state's popular vote. In Washington, along with 47 other states and the District of Columbia, whichever presidential and vice presidential candidates get the most votes statewide get all the electoral votes for the state. In two states, Maine and Nebraska, the overall state winner gets two electoral votes; the remaining electoral votes are selected based on the votes within the states' congressional districts.
Summary of Bill:
Presidential electors in Washington are selected in the following manner:
One presidential elector from each congressional district from the political party whose presidential and vice presidential candidates received the most votes in the congressional district; and
Two at-large electors from the political party for the presidential and vice presidential candidates who received the most votes statewide.
Each elector may have an alternate to stand in for the elector in case of death, refusal to act, or neglect to attend the electors meeting.
The provisions relating to the states' agreement to elect the president by national popular vote are repealed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.