COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado voters helped state leaders take another step forward in attempting to move away from the electoral college and toward a national popular vote for president. News5 talked to political experts to get more context on this vote and what could be next.
Even though a majority of voters in Pueblo and El Paso Counties voted not to move forward with the National Popular Vote Compact, statewide the numbers show voters support it.
The move allows state leaders to sign the state onto the compact along with 14 other states and the District of Columbia, with the mission of dedicating 270 electoral votes, enough to win the white house, to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote.
"What it says is that every vote counts," said El Paso County Democratic Party Chair Electra Johnson. "That's essentially what it says. It moves us away from the electoral college."
While it appears Colorado will lead the way in this effort, political expers say nothing can happen until every state in the compact is cleared to join, which could take time.
Even if all the states get on-board political experts say it won't happen without a fight.
"I see a lot of lawsuits in the future if this does pass," said El Paso County Republican Party Chair Vickie Tonkins.
"There will be litigation. I can almost guarantee that," said Dr. Josh Dunn of the UCCS Department of Political Science. "There are a few constitutional foundations that people could make."
The decision by voters to allow state leaders to move forward with the National Vote Compact will not impact this year's election and will likely be challenged before any decisions are made with the state's electoral votes in the future, but long term this could have consequences.
"This could end up hurting Democrats in Colorado because you could imagine scenarios where a Republican could end of winning the national vote. The popular vote. Colorado votes Democratic, then the votes in the electoral college would have to go to the Republican," said Dr. Dunn.
If the National Popular Vote Compact succeeds in the future, it would fundamentally change how the country elects its president in the future.
