Branstad: National Popular Vote Initiative would compel candidates to ignore Iowa in favor of population centers

State of Iowa Seal

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry Branstad today said the National Popular Vote Initiative is a deeply flawed movement that would eliminate Iowa’s influence on national elections by stripping its electoral votes in favor of a national popular vote.

“The National Popular Vote plan will do nothing but shift candidates’ focus from battleground states, like Iowa, to mega-population centers,” said Branstad. “The Founding Fathers crafted an electoral system that requires our presidential candidates to appeal to citizens from many different states and constituencies, which allows smaller states like Iowa an important say in who becomes our president.”

Under the proposed National Popular Vote Plan, the electoral vote system would be thrown out. This means candidates would essentially have to “buy” states in the form of advertising, and the influence of personal, grassroots interaction with voters would be significantly diminished, if not eliminated altogether.

“The National Popular Vote will do nothing but allow candidates to look past smaller-populated states and focus instead on cities with major media outlets,” said Branstad. “There is a reason only eight states and the District of Columbia have adopted this plan. America wants a candidate that represents the people of the country, not just those of larger, metropolitan areas.”

Branstad also pointed out that a National Popular Vote system would force candidates to appeal more to their base, rather than to independents.

For more information, please visit www.governor.iowa.gov.