Connecticut

On May 24, 2018, Governor Dan Malloy signed the National Popular Vote bill, thereby making Connecticut the 12th jurisdiction to enact the bill. 

On May 5, 2018, the Connecticut Senate passed the National Popular Vote bill by a bi-partisan 21-14 vote.  Governor Dan Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman issued a statement saying "I commend the legislature for sending [the National Popular Vote bill] to the Governor's desk.”  Their statement follows Senate passage by Statement by Senate Majority Leader Duff   A total of 68 representatives and 13 senators were co-sponsors (list of co-sponsors) of the National Popular Vote bill in Connecticut (Status of HB-5421 and SB-408) at the time the bill was passed by the Senate.  

Senator Mae Flexer leading the debate on the National Popular Vote bill on May 5, 2018
Connecticut Senate passes National Popular Vote bill by bipartisan 21-14 vote on May 5, 2018
Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney debating the National Popular Vote bill

On April 26, 2018, the Connecticut House of Representatives passed the National Popular Vote Bill (Status of HB-5421).  The bill now goes to the state Senate (which will be in session until May 9).  

Connecticut Acting House Speaker Russ Morin presides over debate on April 26, 2018
Representative Dan Fox, Co-Chair of GAE Committee, explains bill on House floor

15 Connecticut candidates for statewide office in 2018 have endorsed the National Popular Vote bill.   The Connecticut Citizen's group was critical in winning support for the bill by statewide candidates, legislators, and citizens. 

On March 23, 2018, the Committee on Government Administration and Elections (GAE) approved the National Popular Vote bill. The bill now goes to the House floor.  The committee held a lengthy hearing on the National Popular Vote bill on March 19.  Video of hearing    Video of James Glassman testimony

Hearing on March 19, 2018 at the Connecticut Committee on Government Administration and Elections (GAE)

On February 27, 2018, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, State Representative Matt Lesser, State Representative Michael Winkler, and others spoke in favor of the National Popular Vote bill at a press conference in Hartford.  Video showing comments by various speakers commissioned by Making Every Vote Count (MEVC)   Video discussing problems with current system by MEVC. 

On February 21, 2018, James Glassman, founding executive director of the George W. Bush Institute and former state department official under President George W. Bush, discussed a poll of Connecticut voters with CT News Junkie, showing that three-quarters of Connecticut voters believe the president should be the person who wins the most popular votes in all 50 states and DC.  The poll was conducted by Andrew Claster and commissioned by Making Every Vote Count (MEVC), an organization committed to election the President of the United States by national popular vote.

On February 16, 2018, the Committee on Government Administration and Elections (GAE) voted to hold hearings on the National Popular Vote bill.  

On February 7, 2018, the Connecticut General Assembly Democratic caucus announced that passage of the National Popular Vote bill was one of its priorities for 2018.  Video

On April 8, 2017, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Mayor Toni Harp spoke in favor of electing the President by national popular vote at a rally on the Green organized by National Popular Vote Compact Connecticut, a popular vote advocacy group.  Article

On March 24, 2017, the the Committee on Government Administration and Elections (GAE) approved the National Popular Vote bill (HB5434) and sent it to the House floor.  See Op-Ed by Jonathan Perloe (National Popular Vote CT) in CT News Junkie It’s Time For Connecticut To Join The National Popular Vote Compact

On February 22, 2017, the Committee on Government Administration and Elections (GAE) held hearings on the National Popular Vote bill (audio recording of the hearing). Meanwhile, Governor Malloy urged the legislature to pass the National Popular Vote bill.  Lt. Governor Wyman issued a statement in support of the National Popular Vote bill. Over 90 pieces of public testimony were submitted to the committee.

 

Senate President Looney (sponsor of the National Popular Vote bill) at press conference on February 22, 2017

In January 2017, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney introduced the National Popular Vote bill (Status of SB9). Also, in January 2017, the National Popular Vote bill (Status of HB5434) was introduced by Representatives Matthew Lesser, James M. Albis, Liz Linehan, Gregory Haddad, Josh Elliott, Michael D'Agostino, John "Jack" F. Hennessy, Robyn A. Porter, Bob Godfrey, and Susan M. Johnson and Senators Gary A. Winfield and Mae Flexer.  In addition, Representative Emmett Riley introduced the National Popular Vote bill (Status of HB5205) as did Representative Genga (Status of HB5435) and Representative Roland Lemar (Status of HB5736).

On March 7, 2014, the Connecticut Government Administration & Elections Committee approved the National Popular Vote bill (status of HB 5126) by a 9–4 vote.  The National Popular Vote bill in 2014 was co-sponsored by 44 state representatives and 8 senators. 

On February 24, 2014, Governor Malloy and Senate President Williams endorsed National Popular Vote (CTNewsJunkie)

On February 24, 2014, the Chair of National Popular Vote (Dr. John R. Koza) wrote Representative Ed Julila a letter entitled "Answers to Questions about Presidential Vote Counting and the National Popular Vote Bill." 

On March 15, 2013, the Government Administration and Elections Committee approved the National Popular Vote bill (Status of SB432). The bill was co-sponsored by 32 state representatives nad 6 senators.  

On February 25, 2013, the Government Administration and Elections Committee held hearings on the National Popular Vote bill. Testimony was provided by:

On January 25, 2012, Connecticut State Rep. Andrew Fleischmann writes in CTNewsJunkie that "Rep. John Hetherington's recent criticisms of the initiative … are so flawed that it's hard to know where to start."

On April 20-21, 2011, a survey of 800 Connecticut voters showed 71% overall support for the idea that the President of the United States should be the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states. Voters were asked:

"How do you think we should elect the President: Should it be the candidate who gets the most votes in all 50 states, or the current Electoral College system?"

In this same April 20-21, 2011 survey, voters were then asked a second "push" question that pointedly emphasized that Connecticut's electoral votes would be awarded according to the winner of the nationwide popular vote -- not the statewide vote. In this second question, support dropped 4%, with 67% of Connecticut voters still favoring a national popular vote.

" Do you think it more important that a state's electoral votes be cast for the presidential candidate who receives the most popular votes in a state, or is it more important to guarantee that the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states becomes president?"  April 2011 Connecticut poll

On April 2, 2011, the National Popular Vote bill (Status of HB 6331) was approved by the Government, Administration, and Elections (GAE) Committee by a bipartisan 10–5 vote. The bill was introduced by Rep. Andrew Fleischmann.

On May 14-15, 2009, a survey of 800 Connecticut voters showed 74% overall support for the idea that the President of the United States should be the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states. Voters were asked:

"How do you think we should elect the President: Should it be the candidate who gets the most votes in all 50 states, or the current Electoral College system?"

In this same May 14-15, 2009 survey, voters were asked a second question that emphasized that Connecticut's electoral votes would be awarded to the winner of the national popular vote in all 50 states, not Connecticut, vote. In this second question, 68% of Connecticut voters favored a national popular vote.

"Do you think it more important that Connecticut's electoral votes be cast for the presidential candidate who receives the most popular vote in Connecticut, or is it more important to guarantee that the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states becomes president?" Discussion of May 2009 Connecticut poll  

On May 12, 2009, the Connecticut House of Representatives passed the National Popular Vote bill (HB 6437). The Connecticut House is the 28th state legislative chamber in the country to pass the National Popular Vote bill. The bill now goes to the Connecticut Senate. Hartford Courant Op-Ed by Doug Rand

State Representative James Spallone speaking in favor of the National Popular Vote on May 12, 2009
State Representative James Spallone speaking in favor of the National Popular Vote on May 12, 2009
State Representative Thomas Drew speaking in favor of the National Popular Vote on May 12, 2009
State Representative Thomas Drew speaking in favor of the National Popular Vote on May 12, 2009

On March 25, 2009, the Committee on Government Administration and Elections reported the National Popular Vote bill (HB 6437) with a recommendation that the bill ought to pass.

On January 25, 2009, the National Popular Vote bill was introduced in the Connecticut legislature by Representatives Thomas J. Drew, Andrew Fleischmann, James F. Spallone, Diana S. Urban, Christopher L. Caruso, Andres Ayala, Charles Clemons, Jr, Christopher A. Wright, Demetrios Giannaros, Ed Jutila, Gerald Fox, III, Joe Mioli, John F. Hennessy, John W. Thompson, Juan R. Candelaria, Louis P. Esposito, Jr, Peter F. Villano, Richard F. Roy, Russell Morin, Stephen Fontana, Vickie Orsini Nardello, Matthew Lesser, Marie-Lopez Kirkley-Bey, Ezequiel Santiago, and Ernest Hewett and Senator Edith G. Prague. HB 5016 Status of HB 5016 

On April 19-20, 2008, a survey of 797 Connecticut voters showed 73%-27% support for a national popular vote for President. By party, support for a national popular vote for President is 80%-20% among Democratic voters; 59%-41% among Republicans, and 76%-24% for Others. By age, support is 76%-24% among 18-29 year olds; 67%-33% among 30-45 year olds; 72%-28% among 46-65 year olds; and 78%-22% among 65-and-older. By gender, support is 81%-19% among women and 64%-36% among men. By race, support is 73%-27% among whites, 71%-29% among African-Americans, 79%-21% among Hispanics, and 66%-34% among Others. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 1/2%. Discussion of April 2008 poll

On February 12, 2007, Connecticut State Rep. Andrew Fleischmann introduced the National Popular Vote bill (HB 6000) (Status of HB6000) into the Connecticut House for the 2007 session. Representative Thomas J. Drew also introduced a bill (HB 6018) (Status of HB6018). Hartford Courant editorial Westport News and FairField Citizen News editorial