The National Popular Vote scheme violates Michigan's Constitution

The Electoral College has kept election "problems" in any State confined to that State. The NPV scheme makes an election 'problem' is ANY State very likely to have an impact in EVERY State!

Ed. note:  There are many respectful ways to contact your State Lawmakers and to those in other States - (other States because this nefarious NPV scheme dramatically impacts every State).  Roberta, with her experience as a legislative staffer in the Oregon Legislature, writes some of the finest, including this one. To get some good ideas about how to create good messages to Legislators, make it a point to read through Roberta's blog posts here!

MICHIGAN

A Letter Sent to Michigan's Lawmakers

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of this State, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of State Representative according to the best of my ability.” 
 
To Michigan's State Representatives and Senators:

NPV Violates Michigan's Constitution
 
National Popular Vote has managed to get this far without much attention to the key issue of residency requirements stipulated in the state constitution. In Michigan, the Constitution contains a double whammy:

• ART 1, Sec. 1 “Every citizen of the United States ... who has resided in this state for six months ... shall be an elector and qualified to vote ...”
• And more explicitly: Sec. 3 Election of Presidential electors; residence. “ ...The legislature shall not permit voting by any person who meets the voting residence requirements of the state to which he has removed.”  

 
National Popular Vote runs counter to your state Constitution. It would hand over control of Michigan presidential Electors to the winner of votes from millions who specifically do NOT satisfy Michigan residency requirements.  Essentially NPV could turn Michigan Electors into the equivalent of “faithless electors.” NPR (July 2023) reported, "... Writing for the Supreme Court, Justice Elena Kagan ... said, 'Electoral College delegates have no ground for reversing the statewide popular vote'.” Yet as you know, there is a concerted effort in Michigan to do exactly that.

NPV Changes a Michigander's Vote from 1:5,500,000 to a Staggering 1:158,399,926 

In 2020 a Michigander’s presidential vote was 1 among 5.5 million other Michiganders. Under NPV it would have been 1 in 158 million! Without the Electoral College to protect Michigan’s borders, even your single large metropolitan area (Greater Detroit, ranked 14th nationwide) would have been small potatoes alongside the 114 million people who live in larger urban areas.

Michigan is NOT Being Ignored by Presidential Campaigns!
 
According to the Chicago Tribune, in the final three months of the 2020 Presidential Campaign, Presidential Candidates visited Michigan 22 TIMES. (Biden team: 12 times, Trump team: 10 times.) With a fully functioning Electoral College, Michigan was fully in play. Yet NPV proponents argue that without their Compact, Michiganders somehow get overlooked.
 
Please, don’t be swayed by an attempted work around of the US Constitution. I pray your colleagues will look to their oath of office and safeguard Michigan voters. No one else can.
 
Respectfully,
Roberta Schlechter 
NW Region Volunteer Director - Michigan-based Keep Our 50 States
Portland, OR

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