The Vermont Legislature needs to realize that they are reducing the power small states hold in the Electoral College system. If the country moves to a solely popular vote, candidates will ignore small states and focus on the larger states. Vermont is the size of one Congressional district and as resources are allocated in the general election, small states will simply be ignored. New Hampshire, with four electoral votes, was a deciding factor in Bush’s 2000 victory. Both candidates fought hard for those votes. They spent time and money there. Vermont because of its current security in the Democratic column won’t likely see much activity this cycle, but this plan will ensure that we don’t see a general Eeection candidate or campaign again. It’s just much easier to slightly do better in turning-out your base in the big states like Texas, California, or New York. Or win a swing state by a slightly more comfortable margin.

We realize this decision is in direct response to the outcome of 2000, but Vermont and other small states will be dramatically less important if this becomes the law of the land. We have just disenfranchised ourselves.