AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) – Lawmakers heard public testimony on a bill that would adopt the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.

“It ensures that each of our votes will count equally regardless of party affiliation and geography,” supporter of the bill said.

If enacted, Maine’s electoral votes would go to the presidential candidate who wins the overall national popular vote.

“The candidates would run their race and will add up the popular votes from all 50 states, plus DC. At that point, the candidate with the most votes would be guaranteed the 270 or more electoral votes, from the national popular vote’s states, and that candidate would be guaranteed to go to the White House,” Arthur Bell said.

Arthur Bell of Yarmouth is the sponsor of the bill.

“The current system has elected the second-place candidate twice in our lifetimes and five times in the history of the country,” Bell said.

Supporters include Will Hayward with the League of Women Voters who says part of the issue with the current system is presidential candidates just focus on swing states, not states like Maine.

“If you look at the numbers, I think there have been one or two presidential visits in the past couple of cycles. Now compare that to the dozens and dozens we have heard about from other states. Does that really constitute influence?” Hayward said.

Opponents say the current system has the proper checks and balances

“If this compact were to be realized, Maine and all other rural states would lose their voice and power to large urban areas. Candidates would no longer need to compromise on their platforms. All they would need to do is cater to New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philly and the like,” said Victoria Buckland, opposing the bill.

“Why should the people of Boston rank higher than the citizens of Maine? You heard me correctly. The population of metropolitan Boston is 4.9 million. The population of Maine is 1.3. Our constitution was set up as a representative republic not a democracy,” said another opposer of the bill.

Even if it passes, it won’t be a factor during the 2024 election.

The law will only go into effect once it’s enacted by states possessing at least 270 electoral votes, enough to elect the president.

The effort is currently 65 electors short.

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