Rep. Bill Henderson, R-Cheyenne. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City)

The Wyoming House of Representatives passed a Joint Resolution on an introductory consent vote during their Thursday, Feb. 13 floor session.

That decision will send the resolution to the Corporations Committee for further consideration.

The resolution would formally state opposition to a “National Popular Vote Compact.” That compact is an agreement between some states that they’ll award their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote in presidential elections.

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“The electoral college has been the hallmark of presidential elections in the United States for two (2) centuries,” the resolution states. “The Electoral College provides stability to our democratic republic.”

“The National Popular Vote Compact seeks to undermine the electoral college and upset the established method of presidential election. Should the compact be given effect, rural, agrarian states like Wyoming would be stripped of all electoral power and be seen as no more than serfs in a feudal system.”

The resolution also questions the Constitutional legality of the compact.

“The National Popular Vote Compact is of questionable legal significance and may be contrary to the Compacts Clause within Article 1, Section 10 of the United States Constitution,” the resolution states. “The Wyoming Legislature emphatically rejects the National Popular Vote Compact and encourages other state legislatures which may be considering adoption of the National Popular Vote Compact to decline the same and voice opposition to any such measure.”

During a budget session, at least two-thirds of the House must vote to have a proposed bill or resolution introduced. Those resolutions which meet this threshold are then assigned to a committee.

Committees which have been assigned resolutions after approval on an introductory vote in the House will vote to “pass,” “do not pass” or “pass with amendments.”

Resolutions which make it out of committee then return to the full House for consideration. The House then must approve a resolution on three readings before it is sent to the Senate, who must pass it on three readings.

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