West Central Michigan News

Lansing Democrats are advocating for Michigan to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, a move that has sparked debate over its potential impact on the state's influence in presidential elections. State Representative Joseph Fox, a Republican from Fremont, voiced concerns about the legislation, arguing it would diminish Michigan voters' power.

“The bottom line is that the National Popular Vote Compact will disenfranchise the people of Michigan,” Fox stated. “Under NPV, Michigan’s 15 electoral votes would go to whichever candidate wins the ‘popular vote’ nationally, even if Michigan voters overwhelmingly rejected that candidate.”

House Bills 4156 and 4440 aim to include Michigan in this compact. For it to be enacted, states representing 270 electoral votes must participate—a majority of the total 538 votes in the Electoral College. Currently, states with 209 electoral votes are part of the agreement. If Michigan joins with its 15 votes, it would bring them closer to reaching this threshold. Should this occur, voters in other states could potentially determine how Michigan's electoral votes are cast.

Fox expressed further criticism: “The Electoral College created by our Founding Fathers gives every state a voice in presidential elections,” he said. “But with NPV, pretty much any state that’s not named New York or California becomes a flyover state, leaving suburban and rural voters ignored." He added that "Rural voters stand to lose the most; even if candidates come to Michigan for some reason, they’ll focus only on dense population hubs." According to Fox, by promoting this compact, "Michigan Democrats are undermining the voters of our state," an action he opposes as it "takes away the voices of the people of Michigan."

Fox serves as a representative for Michigan House District 101, which includes Newaygo County and parts of Lake, Mason, Oceana, and Wexford counties.