PROPOSITION 113: NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE

In 2019, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 42, and Gov. Jared Polis signed it. On Nov. 3, Colorado voters can uphold or overturn that law, via Proposition 113.

The law pledges Colorado’s presidential elector votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote, as part of a multistate compact, but only if states representing a total of 270 electoral votes join the compact. That hasn’t occurred yet, so the law is on the books but inactive, for now.

SB 42 was controversial and received zero Republican votes in the state House and Senate. Soon after it became law, Republicans began circulating petitions to overturn it.

To be clear, a “yes” vote on Proposition 113 is a vote to approve the law Polis signed. A “no” vote is a vote to overturn the law.

The case for: Supporters believe a national popular vote is the best way to ensure every American and every Coloradan has an equal say in presidential elections, and that it’s the fairest system for electing presidents. Every vote in America would be counted equally, proponents say.

The case against: Opponents believe the Electoral College is the fairest system for electing presidents and the best way to ensure Coloradans are counted. If presidents are elected by popular vote, candidates will ignore Colorado and campaign only in California, New York and other populous states, opponents say.