Wikipedia’s article on the National Popular Vote Plan can be seen here. It has a chart that shows the progress of the bills in each house of the legislature, which is more comprehensive than National Popular Vote Plan’s own site. However, as of April 3, the Wikipedia chart does not yet reflect that bill’s passage in Maryland.
The Washington Post of April 2 carried an article titled, “The Decoy Effect, or How to Win an Election.” The article quotes Scott Highhouse, who has studied the “decoy effect” at Bowling Green State University, saying “Research on the decoy effect suggests that Nader’s presence (in 2000), rather than taking votes away, probably increased the share of votes for the candidate he most resembled.”
Thanks to Taegan Goddard for pointing out the article, which can be seen here.
Massachusetts Democratic Congressman Martin Meehan has announced that he will resign from Congress on May 9. Therefore, the state will hold a special congressional election in October 2007. Meehan represents the 5th district. He was unopposed for re-election in November 2006.
On Saturday, March 31, the Montana House passed SB 270 with only 5 “no” votes. It moves the petition deadline for independent candidates (for office other than president) from June to March.
On April 2, the Maryland House passed SB634/HB148, the “National Popular Vote Plan.” Since the Governor has said he will sign it, it is extremely likely that Maryland will be the first state to have passed the plan. Of course it doesn’t go into effect until states with a majority of the electoral college have also joined the compact.
