Even though a majority of the Veterans and Legal Affairs committee voted against LD 816, it’s future was still unclear with both Committee Chairs, Sen. Louis Luchini (D-Hancock) & Rep. John Schneck (D-Bangor) supporting the minority opinion and the Senate voting to approve on May 14th. But, after 14 days on the House Floor, ,Rep. Schnieck (D-Bangor) called for a vote and the measure failed 76-66. A total of 9 votes were not cast, 6 abstained, 2 were excused and 1 is vacant
Rep. Babbick (D-Kennebunk) then called for reconsideration of his amendment allowing each of Maine’s congressional districts to continue selecting their own delegates and then have Maine’s two at-large delegates, normally decided by state popular vote, dedicated to the national popular vote winner instead. His request for reconsideration also failed by a far wider margin of 84 to 48 with 16 absent, 3 excused and 1 vacant.
The House’s vote stops the bill from moving forward at this time but it’s still strongly supported by Democrat Party Leadership and a majority of the senate and it’s likely it, or a similar bill, will be put before the legislature again soon.
-TMP
POSTED 4/7/2019