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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Mark Cohen |
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Cohen’s Electoral College-alternative bill discussed at committee hearing
HARRISBURG, Oct. 19 – State Rep. Mark Cohen’s bill that would change the way Pennsylvania elects the president was the topic of a House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee hearing this week.
Cohen’s bill (H.B. 1028) would help change the current system used in the United States to elect the president by authorizing the Commonwealth to join the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote.
The agreement would require participating states to pledge their electors in the Electoral College to the presidential candidate who receives the majority of the national popular vote.
“The Electoral College has achieved its intended purpose,” Cohen said, referring to the 18th century compromise. “Now the best process to elect a president is a simple one -- the candidate with the most votes wins. That is how almost every other democracy works.”
Cohen said the hearing was a healthy exchange of ideas, which included the testimony of both those who support continuation of the Electoral College system for electing the president and those who are opposed. Those testifying included state Rep. Chris Pearson, Vermont; Professor Jack Nagel, University of Pennsylvania; John Samples, CATO Institute; Barry Kauffman, executive director of Common Cause PA; and Larry Sokol of National Popular Vote.
The agreement is being considered in several state legislatures and would reform the current Electoral College by guaranteeing the presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
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CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman |