Sierra Governor saves popular vote, while Dixie lurches toward it

But the National Popular Vote Compact might be meaningless if Congress has their say.

Governor Zairn (D-SR) jokes with reporters at a fundraiser in October. | PA/ITV News

Sierra Governor Zairn spoke from the bully pulpit on Tuesday night, in a press conference that ran the gamut from executive orders to nominations to a snub to President Gunnz’s abortion policy.

But the embattled Democratic governor, who has failed to find a judge acceptable to Assembly Republicans who can fill a state Supreme Court vacancy, came out swinging when he vetoed a bill to take the Western State out of the National Popular Vote Compact.

The bill, passed on a party line vote last week, would have struck a Sierran law that entered the state into the National Popular Vote Compact. The Compact, which would deliver the state’s electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote if enough states join the Compact, is broadly supported by Democrats, but opposed by most Republicans.

Some pundits attributed President Gunnz’s victory in November to Sierra, while others expressed support for a Compact.

“All of you want your own voices to be heard,” said Zairn in his veto. “You want your vote to count for the person you want in office.” As the state’s lieutenant governor, he added, he dealt with the same issue, breaking a tie against a similar bill.

“We ceased to think of ourselves as a collection of states following the Civil War,” the Governor said at the press conference. “The South pushed this narrative of State’s Rights and State Sovereignty in a bid to maintain their segregationist policies.”

Lieutenant Governor Rachel Fischer (D-DX) exits a local commission meeting in Miami on Tuesday. | Emily Michot/Miami Herald

Perhaps the Governor should rethink his take on Dixie. Democrats and Socialists have joined forces in Dixie, where a heated debate over the speakership has overshadowed the state’s own effort to enter the popular vote Compact.

Both Socialists, and Democrat and Minority Leader Tripp Lyons, have expressed support for the proposal, with other Assembly Democrats expected to follow suit.

“We are confident we have the votes” to pass the bill, said Ryan Evans, legislative director for Lieutenant Governor Rachel Fischer. The House plans to vote on the proposal and others next week.

Sen. Its Boom (R-SR) exits a committee hearing. | Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo

Federal legislators for Dixie and Sierra aren’t so enthusiastic. Senators Prelate Zeratul (R-DX) and Its Boom (R-SR) introduced a resolution Thursday to nip the Compact in the bud — before it can be enacted by three states.

The Compact, the senators argue, constitutionally requires the approval of Congress. By disapproving of any popular vote compact before enough states can agree to one, Congress can render the popular vote a moot point.

Democrats came out in full force in opposition to the resolution, with Senator Hurricane O. Lies (D-SR) sparring with his Senate colleague on constitutional arguments.

“Congress’s role in overseeing interstate compacts is ensuring that the just supremacy of the United States is not encroached upon,” said Lies. “Whether or not a compact is politically agreeable to Congress is not what is at question here. If the Senator is so concerned about rural-urban disparity within the state, perhaps he would be better served to fly to Sacramento and convince our State Assembly.”

Lies, who lost his presidential race in November, after winning the popular vote but losing the electoral college, added that he, too, was opposed to the Compact on other grounds.

The future of the Compact, as of now, is uncertain.

“I suspect this kind of resolution will alienate moderates who might he willing to compromise over the issue,” said Kyle Pheonix of the Phoenix Press. “I hope that Congress recognises this is not a constructive approach to dealing with constitutional problems.”

Rachel Fischer contributed to this report.