Referendum filed to repeal popular vote law

A Shaw Island man has filed a referendum to repeal a new law that has Washington state join a compact with other states to cast its presidential electoral votes for the national popular vote winner.

David Anderson filed the referendum Wednesday, one day after Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the bill. The new law doesn't take effect until enough states sign on to account for 270 electoral votes - the number it takes to win the White House. Washington has 11 electoral votes. Anderson would have to gather more than 120,500 signatures by July in order to qualify for the ballot.

The compact has been ratified in Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland and New Jersey and is moving ahead in several other states.

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Washington state Legislature: http://www.leg.wa.gov

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