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119-hjres-102119th Congress

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing that the Senate is made more representative by adding twelve Senators to be elected using a national popular vote, and providing for twelve Electors at-large for President and Vice-President, who shall cast their ballots for the respective winners of the national popular vote.

Sponsored By: Representative Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

Introduced

Summary

Adds twelve Senators elected at-large by a national popular vote. This constitutional amendment would also create twelve at-large Presidential Electors and set national rules for how those Senators and Electors are chosen and administered.

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  • Voters: U.S. citizens would cast nationwide votes for 12 at-large Senators and for the slate that determines the at-large Presidential Electors. The at-large Senators would be divided into three classes so one-third of those seats are up every two years.
  • State election officials: States would run the elections and tabulate ballots, but Congress would set procedures and a federal entity would collect and announce winners based on state counts. The article applies to U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
  • Senate and Presidential system: Vacancies for at-large Senators are filled temporarily by the state executive authority from the same political party and may trigger a special election as Congress prescribes. Congress would appoint twelve at-large Presidential Electors who meet citizenship, age, and registration rules and who meet in the District to cast Electoral College votes based on national totals.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

12 national electors for President

If enacted and ratified, this would add 12 Presidential Electors chosen as Congress sets by law. They would meet in Washington, DC, and vote for the candidates who got the most votes nationwide. These 12 would count toward the total number of Electoral College votes.

12 Senators by national popular vote

If enacted and ratified by three-fourths of States, this would add 12 U.S. Senators elected by a national popular vote. Four of the 12 seats would be up every two years, and each term would be six years. You would vote for one candidate for each open at-large seat on your ballot. States would run the elections under rules Congress sets and send totals to a federal office, which would count and announce winners. If an at-large seat opens, the state governor would appoint a same‑party replacement within 30 days, and a special election would fill the rest of the term at the next general election.

Congress sets rules, territories and DC covered

If enacted, Congress would be able to pass laws to carry out and enforce these national elections. The same rules in this amendment for States would also apply to U.S. territories and to the District of Columbia. That means residents there would be covered by these election and elector rules.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

IL • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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