LD1578 enters Maine into the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would allocate the state’s electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote—if enough states join to form a majority of electoral votes. It also updates Maine’s ranked-choice voting procedures for presidential elections to align with the compact. The law takes effect only if states with a majority of electoral votes enact similar legislation.
The Maine State Senate passed LD1578 on April 3, 2024 by a vote of 18 to 12. We have assigned pluses to the nays because the National Popular Vote movement undermines the Electoral College, which was designed to protect state sovereignty and prevent the “tyranny of the majority.” Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution prohibits interstate compacts without congressional approval, and altering the presidential election process requires an amendment via Article V. Additionally, ranked-choice voting is unconstitutional, weakens election integrity, and disenfranchises voters by allowing candidates to win without genuine majority support. Furthermore, Maine’s election process should be determined by its Legislature, not by popular vote, as Article IV, Section 4 in the U.S. Constitution guarantees every state a republican form of government—one based on the rule of law, not mere majority rule.