AUGUSTA — Senator David Miramant, D-Camden, introduced a bill this week for Maine to adopt the National Popular Vote Compact.

LD 1330, “An Act To Join the National Popular Vote Compact,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.

“Democracy starts with the people,” said Sen. Miramant. “The National Popular Vote Compact returns the power to the people when it comes to presidential elections. The person who wins the most votes in our country should win the election. By adopting the National Popular Vote Compact, Maine will be leading the way for other states to give people more voice in electing their president. This bill would allow for more accountability to the people.”

The National Popular Vote Compact is an agreement for states to allocate their electoral college votes to the presidential candidate who wins the country’s popular vote.

In order to allow for more accountability to the people, LD 1330 encourages states to take steps to give as many people as possible a voice across the nation.

If LD 1330 is adopted, Maine would join a handful of other states in signing on to the National Popular Vote Compact. The bill only takes effect if enough states join the compact to equal 270 electoral votes or more.

LD 1330 faces additional action in committee.