July 9, 2008 MA House debates eliminating Electoral College Play video

(Greg Wayland, NECN) - It's an argument that comes around every election cycle: elect the president by national popular vote, not electoral votes. It's the goal of a bill being debated at the Massachusetts State House.

Critics are saying, it's kind of an end run around the constitutional issues. Including some here in Massachusetts where that debate was still underway this afternoon. But proponents say it passes constitutional muster.

State by state, they are sponsoring roughly identical legislation that effectively abolishes the electoral college.

The Massachusetts house is still debating this bill, though it is expected to pass. Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick says he wants to study the bill before deciding whether to support it. Governors Carcieri in Rhode Island and Schwarzenegger in California are among those who have already vetoed similar legislation.

NECN's Greg Wayland reports.