GOVERNMENT

GOP lawmakers oppose ballot drive to give Michigan's electoral votes to national popular vote winner

Arpan Lobo
The Holland Sentinel

GRAND RAPIDS — Republicans in the Michigan Legislature are opposing a plan to have Michigan join a group of states calling for a national popular vote to determine the presidency, rather than the Electoral College.  

Republicans, including Sen. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, penned a letter addressed to Michigan voters asking them to not sign a petition drive to have Michigan join the national popular vote movement. The Detroit News was the first to report the letter, which also was signed by Holland-area Sen. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, and Reps. Luke Meerman, R-Coopersville, Mary Whiteford, R-Casco Township, and Bradley Slagh, R-Zeeland. 

Michigan Sen. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, greets Michigan Rep. Mary Whiteford, R-Casco Township, prior to their news conference addressing the closure of Marlena's Bistro & Pizzeria, and the detainment of its owner, Marlena Pavlos-Hackney on Monday, March 22, 2021, in Holland, Mich. Nesbitt was among the leading Republicans to sign a letter asking Michiganders to not sign a ballot drive to award the state's electoral votes to the popular vote winner in presidential elections.

“It is imperative that the candidate who receives Michigan’s electoral votes is determined by Michiganders – and not by voters in other parts of the country,” the letter states. “Simply put: Michigan’s votes for president must only be determined by Michigan’s voters.” 

More:Dem, GOP heavyweights launch ballot drive to decide presidency by popular vote

The ballot drive was announced in late September by former Michigan Democratic Chair Mark Brewer and Michigan GOP Chair Saul Anuzis. The two former chairs argued that allowing a national popular vote to decide who takes the White House would incentivize candidates to campaign in every state, rather than the most populous states and other “battleground” states, a group that typically includes Michigan. 

“Michigan should join 15 other states and move this country toward a national popular vote for president,” Anuzis said when the ballot drive was announced. 

The states, and the District of Columbia, agree that once states with a combined total of 270 electoral votes — the number needed to win the presidency — join the compact, they will all agree to award their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the popular vote nationally.

For example, in 2016, when Michigan voters chose Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton, the state would have given its electoral votes to Clinton, since she won more votes nationally than Trump.

Michigan has 15 electoral votes, down from 16 in the 2020 election due to the state’s slower population growth compared to others. 

Conservatives in Michigan have been cool to the plan. They argue states with greater populations would overtake Michigan in national prominence every fourth November. 

“We need to have more input and voices than just those from the country’s four or five biggest population centers,” Nesbitt said in a release. “Make no mistake – Michigan would be a big loser in a national popular vote arrangement. It’s not the right approach for our state or our residents.” 

The "Yes on National Popular Vote" ballot drive would be a legislative initiative. Organizers would have to collect just over 340,000 valid signatures. The proposal would then be submitted to the Legislature. If lawmakers decline to pass the measure, it would go to voters in a general election.

— Paul Egan of the Detroit Free Press contributed to this article. Contact Arpan Lobo at alobo@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @arpanlobo.