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RI Governor Vetos National Popular Vote on the Eve of July 4th
Veto comes despite overwhelming support from Rhode Islanders; FairVote RI urges override
In his veto message, Governor Carcieri claimed that "no serious effort had been made" to amend the Constitution to create a national popular vote, despite the fact that amendments have been proposed and voted on in Congress several times in the 20th century. More broadly, the governor claimed that the compact "subverts the Constitution." But, FairVote RI Director Ari Savitzky said in a press release, the Constitution gives states the ability to award their electors however they see fit. "The Constitution is very clear as to who has the power to decide how electoral votes are awarded, and that power is vested exclusively and specifically in the state legislatures; The NPV compact flows directly from that constitutional basis," Savitzky said. "By vetoing this measure, it is the Governor who has subverted that principle." FairVote RI is now urging an over-ride of the governor's veto. (Pictured here: Ari speaks with Rhode Islanders about the National Popular Vote compact at a recent discussion in Providence) |
Pre-Registration Vetoed, FairVote RI Urging Override
Third year in a row that the youth engagement measure is vetoed
 On Monday, June 23, Governor Carcieri vetoed bills sponsored by Senator Rhoda Perry and Representative Edwin Pacheco which would allow voter pre-registration for 16 and 17 year olds. The same legislation was vetoed by the governor in 2006 and 2007, and this year's pre-registration bill had passed with bi-partisan support, the endorsement of over 25 local groups and its largest margin yet.In his veto message, the governor called the measure, which would create a uniform age of 16 for young people to pre-register, "a solution without a problem." But the problem is clear: young people are registered at much lower rates than the general population, hindering the start of the voting habit. The veto also came despite a letter from Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis describing how pre-registration could be implemented. Mollis stressed the straightforward nature of the modifications to Rhode Island's registration system. The Governor, however, argued that pre-registration would clog the voter rolls--despite the fact that pre-registration could make the registration system as a whole less error prone.. Now FairVote RI is urging the General Assembly to override the Governor's veto. Email us to learn how to take action, or contact your state legislator! |
On the eve of our nation's Independance day, RI Governor Carcieri vetoed the national popular vote compact. The measure has the support of