Conn. House Approves Presidential Bill

HARTFORD (AP) — The Connecticut House of Representatives has voted to join a compact with several other states to cast its presidential electoral votes for the winner of the national popular vote.

The bill moves to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain.

Republicans were united Tuesday in their opposition of the bill. They say under this bill Connecticut would have given its electoral votes to former President George Bush in the 2004 presidential election when Senator John Kerry won the state’s popular vote.

Backers say it will enfranchise voters, especially those in noncompetitive states who support the national popular vote winner.

The compact has been ratified in Washington, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, and New Jersey. It will not take effect until enough states sign on to account for 270 electoral votes.