Congressional Bills,H.J. Res. 227 (IH) – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to abolish the electoral college and to provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President of the United States.

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House Joint Resolution 227: Proposing an Amendment to Abolish the Electoral College

Article Date: December 13, 2024

Bill: H.J. Res. 227 (IH)

Sponsor: Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD)

Summary:

House Joint Resolution 227 is a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to abolish the Electoral College and establish a direct election for the President and Vice President of the United States. Under the current system, the Electoral College is responsible for selecting the president and vice president, with each state receiving a number of electoral votes based on its population. The candidate who receives the majority of electoral votes wins the presidency, regardless of the popular vote.

Arguments in Favor of the Amendment:

  • More Democratic: Supporters of H.J. Res. 227 argue that the Electoral College is undemocratic because it allows candidates to win the presidency even if they lose the popular vote. This has happened several times in recent history, including in the 2016 election.
  • Eliminates Gerrymandering: The Electoral College gives disproportionate power to small states, which can be gerrymandered to favor one party over another. Abolishing the Electoral College would eliminate this problem.
  • Simplifies the Voting Process: A direct election for president and vice president would simplify the voting process and make it easier for all citizens to participate.

Arguments Against the Amendment:

  • Protects States’ Rights: Opponents of H.J. Res. 227 argue that the Electoral College protects states’ rights and ensures that all states have a say in the election of the president.
  • Preserves the Two-Party System: Some believe that a direct election would lead to the dominance of one or two major parties and make it more difficult for third-party candidates to succeed.
  • Unintended Consequences: Changing the electoral system could have unintended consequences, such as making it more difficult for candidates from smaller states to win the presidency.

Current Status:

H.J. Res. 227 was introduced in the House of Representatives on December 12, 2024, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. The committee has yet to schedule any hearings on the resolution.

Outlook:

The passage of H.J. Res. 227 is considered unlikely due to the strong opposition from Republicans in Congress. However, the amendment could gain traction if it receives support from a significant number of Democrats and/or bipartisan support.

H.J. Res. 227 (IH) – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to abolish the electoral college and to provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President of the United States.

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