Sarah Peacock’s comments to Pinellas Legislative Delegation, on behalf of Floridians for National Popular Vote

Sarah Peacock’s comments to Pinellas Legislative Delegation, on behalf of Floridians for National Popular Vote:

Chair Chaney, Senators, and Representatives thank you for this opportunity to speak.

As I am sure you are aware already, Florida is becoming a more reliably Republican state. We are predicted to lose our swing state status in the 2024 election. As a result of this trend, over the last two elections, we saw presidential campaign visits in Florida cut by more than 50%.

In the next presidential election, the race will be won, as it always is, in swing states. The other states are considered spectator states, and we will be among them.

We are here today asking for your support to make every vote count. Under the “winner take all” model, 20% of the US population will get to choose our president, while 80%, including Floridians, sit and watch.

The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an elegant solution to an unjust problem. Unlike a US constitutional amendment, it does not preempt states rights, the electoral college remains intact, and my vote would be equal to every other American’s.

So what is the interstate compact?

It is simply an agreement to assign our state’s 30 Electors to the candidate that wins the national popular vote. Once 270 electors are committed to the compact, it will go into effect. Minnesota just signed on in May, with bipartisan support, bringing the total to 205. This is not a matter of “if”, but a matter of “when”.

We currently have a House bill, HB 67 sponsored by Representative Gottleib, and a Senate Bill, SB 236, sponsored by Senator Torres, I am here today asking that you cosponsor these bills to show your constituents that you believe their voices should be heard.

I would like to thank senator Rouson for his support and thank you for your time. With that, we are happy to answer any questions you may have.