FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24th, 2011
CONTACT: Aaron Baer
225-389-4495

Chairman Villere Reacts to HGA Vote on the National Popular Vote

Baton Rouge – Today, Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Roger Villere responded to the House and Government Affairs Committee advancing the National Popular Vote (NPV) state compact to the House Floor.

“The National Popular Vote initiative is nothing more than an attempt by big-government liberals to rob smaller states of their constitutional check on the federal government’s power,” said Chairman Villere.  “NPV would effectively allow Democrats like Barack Obama to drive up turnout in large liberal states like California and New York to negate the impact of every vote in Louisiana.  Presidential campaigns would focus all their attention and resources in major urban areas, leaving rural states like Louisiana behind.  The incentives for voter fraud and the likelihood of a chaotic nationwide recount would also astronomically increase.”

“I’m proud our Republican State Central Committee (RSCC) Executive Committee went on record in support of the Electoral College and in opposition to NPV this past Saturday.  We encourage the members of the Louisiana Legislature to preserve states’ rights, honor our Constitution, and reject legislation that would end the Electoral College and create chaos in our elections.  Our Founding Fathers were wise in their development of a federalist system that balances power between large states and small states, and between the states and a centralized national government.  NPV is an end-run around the Constitution and should be rejected.”

House Bill 388, the legislation which aims to have Louisiana join the NPV state compact, was considered by the House and Government Affairs Committee on Tuesday.  A motion to involuntarily defer the bill, and effectively kill the bill, was defeated on a 6 to 8 vote.  Six Republicans voted to kill the bill, with six Democrats, one Independent and one Republican voting against.  Five members of the committee, including four Republicans, did not cast votes.  The bill was advanced to the full House without objection.

To learn more about NPV please visit: www.saveourstates.com