An Act Withdrawing Connecticut From The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
Summary
SB 326 would repeal section 9-175a of the Connecticut General Statutes, thereby withdrawing Connecticut from the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President of the United States by National Popular Vote. In practical terms, the bill would end Connecticut’s participation in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which is an agreement among participating states to award their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote once enough states join to control a majority of electoral votes.
The bill is narrowly drafted and does not create a new election system; instead, it removes the state from an existing interstate compact. If enacted, it would change Connecticut election law by eliminating the statutory authorization for participation in the compact and would affect how the state is positioned in future presidential election reforms. The measure primarily affects state election officials and the legal framework governing presidential elector selection.
Impact
This bill would repeal the statute that places Connecticut in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, removing the state from the compact and ending its legal commitment to allocate presidential electors based on the national popular vote arrangement. It would amend state election law by deleting section 9-175a, and would have no direct effect on federal law, but it would alter Connecticut’s role in interstate election coordination and any obligations tied to the compact.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented debate or vote history to gauge sentiment. Based on the bill text alone, the proposal appears to reflect a clear policy preference by the sponsors to reverse Connecticut’s participation in the compact, but the available record does not show broader support or opposition.
Contention
The central point of contention is the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact itself: supporters of withdrawal generally argue that presidential electors should remain tied to Connecticut’s own voters or that the compact is an improper way to change presidential elections, while opponents of withdrawal would likely favor keeping Connecticut in the compact as a way to support a national popular vote for president. Because no hearing transcript is included, the specific arguments of legislators, advocates, or stakeholders are not available in the record provided.