So does anyone here have thoughts on the move by the MD. legislature to award the state's electorial college votes to the winner of the NATIONAL popular vote rather than the state vote?

At first I thought this was an incredibly stupid idea... and I still do. The idea is that if this had been in place in all states in 2000 Al Gore would have won the election...
Two problems - If this was in place in all states it would negate the purpose of the EC since the popular vote would dictate awarding of those votes. DUH! Secondly, if it were only done in Maryland it wouldn't have affected that particular election since Gore got MD's votes! If it ever changed any outcome it would certainly be the oposite of what the demoractic officials are trying to do.

Let me explain... The chance of MD. ever going for a Republican (presidential) candidate are almost nil. However in the oposite of the last situation - a Republican winning the popular vote - MD's 10 EC votes - in spite of the will of the state's voters - would be awarded to that Republican candidate taking them away from their choosen Democrate!!!!!!

Just what the hell is going on in Annapolis?

Its the felons vote that counts!!!!!!!

you are funny as hell aldo but i like you, really i have enjoyed your points of view.

As usual very insightful comments, Flipper

My first thought was how is this going to benefit the democrats. After some more thought I figure it really doesn't matter, they will only adopt this if the majority of the other states do which in my opinion is what all states should do.

i think you count the votes from the voters and who ever has the most votes wins, i think a lot of people dont vote because they think there vote dont count, it really sounds like it dont,

So are you saying we should scrap the EC? After all, if every state passed this, that is essentially what it'd mean - all EC votes would be cast according to the (national) popular vote. So why even bother with the EC, right?

In reality the EC may have outlived it's purpose. Originally a means of streamlining the counting process, with technology what it's become every actual vote can be counted in hours as opposed to days or weeks like we see in less developed countries. What we have left is a sometimes contradictory and easily contrived process that does not serve the intended purpose of true democracy.

As for voter apathy, I've heard all the reasons everyone else has. I don't buy any of em! If anyone is not committed enough to take an active role in the process - even one as insignificant as 15-30 minutes out of every couple years - its pretty sad. That said, when the chance exists of your vote being totally overturned by your own state officials I can begin to see the reasoning of "not counting!"

The problem with getting rid of the EC is that the populus is easily fooled...They will elect any fool who sounds good..see the daft fools in California--they wanted Annnorwwld...and they got him!

I do not think it is very smart, and the first time a republican wins the Elecotral votes of MD(a nortoriosly D state), it will be LOUDLY DEMANDED TO BE REPEALED.

Yeeeeoooouch! TP, sounds like you'd be more comfortable in a good old fashioned monarchy. Perhaps Fidel is more to your liking? After all those forms of government think the average citizen isn't smart enough to have a voice in government either. What ever happened to "one-man one-vote"? Isn't that the basis for a truely free democracy? There will always be those who waste their vote by either not participating or casting a poorly informed or protest vote but then THAT is part of the freedom of such a system as well, is it not?

In the end I do not totally disagree with you on the aspect of mis-informed voters. This is the scurge of such a system, but democracy is still the best one around! Also, the EC is still based on the geographically local popular vote, its merely the formula used to compound the results that differs. Rooted in an expedient means of tabulating results, I say it's time has passed given modern technology.

Same old , Same old.

Leave it to our Democratic State House and a Democratic Governor
to be the first state to jump on board to a nutty idea like this.

Why do I say nutty? This does not help them in their cause in getting any
particular democrat elected to the presidency because having the state electoral votes go
to the person who wins the popular vote of the entire country totally negates the wishes of
the majority of Maryland voters, if the person who wins the entire popular vote is not the
same person that wins the vote in Maryland.

What kind of backwards upside down thinking is this ??

Have to admit, not suprised though. This is exactly the kind of mixed up,
common sense lacking thinking that I see every day from the "sharp" minds
that are running our state affairs.