The Rhode Island legislature adjourned on July 3. Only three election law bills passed this year. As previously reported, the National Popular Vote bill, SB 346, was signed into law on July 11. The only other two election law bills that became law are one that says people standing in line outside the polling place at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote; and one that says mail ballots must be received by the end of election day in order to be validly cast.
The Moderate Party made a superhuman effort to try to pass the bill that eliminates the straight-ticket device, but the bill did not pass, because the Speaker of the State House was personally opposed to the bill.
Richard, how many states have passed the National Popular Vote bill?
How many states have banned the straight ticket?
The bill has passed 32 state legislative chambers in 21 states with 243 electoral votes. The bill has been enacted by 10 jurisdictions with 136 electoral votes – 50.4% of the 270 necessary to go into effect.