A Florida Senator filed a bill Wednesday to get rid of the Electoral College, which was the deciding factor in electing Donald Trump as the next President.
While nearly three million more Americans voted for Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump still became the President based on winning the Electoral College vote—a system originally created to give smaller states a larger voice in the election process. But, Sen. Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg) thinks presidential elections should be based solely on the popular vote. That’s why he filed a bill eliminating the Electoral College.
“It’s really not—as some folks are alleging—about being a sore loser,” said Rouson. “It’s about a principle of each voter having the confidence that their vote counts, and at no time was it more telling than in this election where the majority of the American people demonstrated their will, and it’s disregarded. So, I hope, and it’s my prayer that we’re able to pass this thing.”
Rouson says so far, 10 states and the District of Columbia have passed similar legislation. If more states join the effort, Rouson adds it will be a great first step toward making this a reality.
Similar bills have been filed in the past in the Florida Legislature.
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