State Rep. Matthew Bierlein, of Vassar, today voiced strong opposition against Democrat efforts to diminish the voices of state voters.

House Bill 4156 enters Michigan into the National Popular Vote compact with 16 other states. This would award all of Michigan’s electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote.

“Democrats frequently rail against the disenfranchisement of voters, but this move would permanently disenfranchise every voter in the state,” Bierlein said. “Even if voters in Michigan overwhelmingly choose one candidate, they could be thrown out in favor of whoever won nationally. That’s ridiculous.

“The candidate who receives the most support from Michigan residents should get our electoral votes. This should not be decided by people in other parts of the country.”

For the last general election in 2020, almost 3 million people turned out to vote in New York City. Another 4.3 million votes were cast in Los Angeles. Combined, those two cities alone dwarfed Michigan’s record-breaking statewide turnout of 5.5 million votes.

Bierlein underscored the Electoral College as a reliable mechanism for presidential elections for centuries – ensuring everyone who goes to the polls has a valued voice regardless of their location in the United States. The first-term legislator also emphasized the “Battleground state” label Michigan has earned in recent election cycles – with candidates prioritizing stops throughout the state.

“That goes away when the national popular vote and big population centers decide who is going to get our state’s electoral votes,” Bierlein said. “Voices in Michigan and across our communities matter. We must ensure they continue to matter.”

The legislation remains under consideration in the House Elections Committee.