Utah could inch U.S. closer to adopting national popular vote rather than Electoral College

Jan 28, 2021, 2:26 PM | Updated: Sep 28, 2023, 9:06 am

Utah popular vote...

A member of Iowa's Electoral College signs the Certificate of Vote of Electors for the State of Iowa, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Should the Electoral college stay or go? Tune in to Dave & Dujanovic at 11:20 a.m. to hear the discussion!

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would enter Utah into an interstate compact, allowing some states to elect the president through the popular vote rather than through the Electoral College. 

If enacted, the compact would grant all six of Utah’s electoral votes to the candidate with the most votes nationwide. 

“Honestly, I think passing a national popular vote will encourage more civic engagement,” said Sen. Derek Kitchen, sponsor of SB121. “The reality is that Utah is a ‘flyover state’ and we’re not a competitive state. The presidential election itself is decided based on swing states.” 

Utah pushes for national popular vote

The 2021 General Session marks the fifth time the bill has been introduced to the state legislature since 2009 — all by Republican lawmakers. The last time it was proposed was in 2018 by Rep. Jeremy A. Peterson.

The bill reflects a larger movement across the U.S. that shows a majority of voters would prefer to elect the president based on the national popular vote. 

More than half of U.S. adults (58%) say they believe the Constitution should be amended to allow the candidate with the most votes to win, according to the Pew Research Center. Forty percent say otherwise. 

Under the Electoral College system, presidential candidates heavily focus on swing states to determine the outcome of the race. As a result, voters in Utah are left out of the conversation, Kitchen said. 

“States like Utah get skipped over because we’re a solidly Republican state and places like California are assumed to be Democrat,” he said. 

Popular vote allows more voices to be heard, lawmaker says

Instead, he argued, voters should be placed on a level playing field. That way, Democrats in Utah and Republicans in California aren’t ignored. 

For example, there are around 920 thousand registered Republican voters in Utah in 2021. Ahead of the 2020 election, California reported more than 5.3 million Republican voters in its blue state. 

“[If the bill passed], even in states like Utah where we’re reliably Republican, the Democratic votes will be valued here,” Kitchen said. “In California, Republican votes will be valued.”

If the U.S. operated through a popular vote system, elections could be more competitive and more voices would be heard, according to Kitchen. 

“Three quarters of [election] spending exists in just five states,” he said. “We have a lot of good people here in Utah and we should be engaged in the political process.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

All News

FILE - A Salt Lake City Police Department patrol car. (SLCPD)...

Kennedy Camarena

SLCPD preparing for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidential Inauguration

The Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) is preparing for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations and the Presidential Inauguration.

19 days ago

A teen was shot and killed while driving a vehicle on Friday....

Kennedy Camarena

Fourth in custody in connection to 17-year-old shot, killed in car near Cedar City, police say

Police say a 17-year-old girl died after she was followed and shot at by another driver on Friday while driving her own vehicle.

20 days ago

Police have arrested Nestor Rocha-Aguayo, and said he is a person of interest in the homicide inves...

SHELBY LOFTON, CARLYSLE PRICE AND ALTON BARNHART, KSL TV

Person of interest in West Valley homicide found and in police custody

Police are searching for a 24-year-old man who is a person of interest in an active homicide investigation.

1 month ago

Juan Diego Catholic High School student Denver Whaley works on a ceramic artwork. Whaley won "award...

Logan Stefanich, KSL.com

Lehi student wins national recognition for ceramic creations

A 17-year-old Juan Diego Catholic High School senior from Lehi won national recognition for her ceramic creations.

1 month ago

People attend the grand opening of the Salt Lake County Library’s Granite branch in South Salt La...

Logan Stefanich, KSL.com

‘Focal point’: Why library patrons think Salt Lake County Library earned spot in Top 10 in the US

The Salt Lake County Library earned a spot in the Top 10 highest circulating libraries across the US. Library patrons explain why that is.

1 month ago

Police cars near 4715 S. Arlington Park Drive after a shelter-in-place order was issued....

Michael Houck

Police: West Valley City residents asked to shelter-in-place due to a ‘fugitive investigation’

On Saturday residents in West Valley City near 4715 S. Arlington Park Drive were asked to shelter in place due to a 'fugitive investigation.'

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Utah could inch U.S. closer to adopting national popular vote rather than Electoral College