Experts Debate National Popular Vote at Washington College of Law
WASHINGTON, DC, Nov. 13, 2009 – The Program on Law & Government at American University Washington College of Law and the American Constitution Society jointly present “Is America Ready for the Popular Election of the President?,” a debate on the national popular vote on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at noon.
Maryland, New Jersey, Illinois, Hawaii, and Washington have adopted the National Popular Vote Interstate compact by which states will cast their Electoral College votes in presidential elections for the winner of the national popular vote. Is this the “next logical step” in the unfolding of political democracy in America, as advocates claim? Is it the undoing of a careful compromise by the Framers that has served America remarkably well, as opponents argue?
Four leading experts will debate the issue and invite audience questions and discussion, including:
Professor Jamin Raskin
As a Maryland State Senator, Professor Raskin sponsored the first successful National Popular Vote bill. He is the author of several articles advocating nationwide passage of the National Popular Vote, and is a professor of law at WCL.
Dr. John Koza
Dr. Koza is a professor at Stanford University and a co-founder of National Popular Vote, an organization founded to study, analyze, and educate the public regarding the National Popular Vote.
John Samples
Mr. Samples is the Director of the CATO Institute’s Center for Representative Government and a vocal opponent of the National Public Vote initiative.
Dr. Alex Belenky
Dr. Belenky, a professor at MIT, is a leading academic critic of the National Popular Vote and is the creator of a competing proposal for electoral reform.
Moderated by
Caroline Fredrickson
Executive Director, American Constitution Society
The debate will be taking place in room 603, on the sixth floor, from noon until 2 PM on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
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