Forum Post: United for the National Popular Vote!

I am a 63 year old grandmother in Oklahoma who would like to be able to tell my grandchild that every vote counts in America. I can’t, because that’s a lie! I was born in 1948 and have voted in every Presidential election since I reached legal voting age. Since I am a Democrat and Oklahoma has voted Republican, the laws of my state have made my vote meaningless. Eleven Presidential elections in a row, for 43 years of my life, my vote has counted for nothing. Yes, the candidate I voted for was elected a few times, but not because of my vote. My state voted for the loser, and my vote made no difference.

This is a problem for both parties! Many Republicans see their states vote for the Democrat each time, and they feel just like I do. We are disappointed and discouraged and wondering if our only remaining option is to move to a state where we aren’t made to feel like we don’t belong.

Republicans in HI, NY, RI, WA and WI haven’t had their vote matter since 1984. Republicans in CA, CT, DE, IL, MD, MI, NJ, PA and VT watch their votes cast aside in the last 5 Presidential elections. Republican voters in MN haven’t mattered since 1972. Democrats in AK, ID, KS, ND, OK, UT and WY have endured 44 years of their votes being wasted. AL, MS, SC and TX have tossed out all their “blue votes” since 1976. Democrats in AR and AZ could have stayed home for the last 4 elections. Democrats in GA and MT haven’t mattered in the last 3 Presidential elections.

This is not government of the people, by the people and for the people! It’s government of the State, by the State and for the State! According to the US Constitution "Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors ..." The bad news is that most State Legislatures have decided on the “winner take all” system, which leaves so many of us without a voice.

But there is good news! The National Popular Vote Law has already been enacted by states possessing 132 electoral votes — 49% of the 270 electoral votes needed to activate it! 70% of Americans polled support the Popular Vote!

Red voters in Blue States and Blue voters in Red States are tired of feeling oppressed, defeated and powerless. We are tired of being called “fly over states” by the media because Presidential candidates never set foot in our states. We are tired of seeing the debate and education, Party support, candidates, and money go to other states. Blue states get bluer. Red states get redder. Presidents get elected by “swing states”, to a large degree by those voters who have the most trouble making up their minds.

What can we do? Blue voters in Red States and Red voters in Blue States can stand together! Republicans and Democrats with one voice as Americans! We have been inconsequential for years, but our country could certainly benefit from seeing us stand together now! It shouldn’t take a 9/11 disaster for us to find compassion for one another.

Please go to http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/ and look under “Take Action” in the upper right hand corner to see what individuals can do to help. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see where your State Legislature stands. Spread the word among those who are fired up. This basic change in our government is a positive change that can happen. It can give the country back to the people!

We know what we are against! The National Popular votes is what we should be for!

I have lived my whole life with my votes for President ignored. Many in my position no longer bother to make the trip to their voting place. I will continue to vote in this flawed Democracy, as a symbol of my belief in citizen responsibility. May we work together to see my votes, and yours, begin to matter.