Lacking popular support

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SALT LAKE CITY -- One man, one vote died in a House committee meeting.

With an 8-3 vote, House Bill 346 sponsored by Rep. Neil Hansen, D-Ogden, was defeated Wednesday in the House Government Operations Committee. The bill could have entered Utah into an agreement with other states allowing Utahns to elect the nation's president and vice president by popular vote instead of through the electoral college.

"One man, one vote," Hansen said. "Then, that is when that one vote becomes important."

Hansen said Utah would have become the 40th state to consider that type of legislation. If the bill had become law and not enough states had enacted similar laws, the bill would have become null and void.

"A straight popular vote could hurt with some of the voting fraud that has taken place in other states," said Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield.

Rep. Glenn A. Donnelson, R-North Ogden, said the Constitution would have to be amended to allow a popular vote for the nation's two top leaders.

"This is obviously unconstitutional," said Maryann Christensen, secretary for Utah Eagle Forum. Christensen said the electoral college "was inspired by our founders to preserve the vote."

The electoral college is "winner takes all," Hansen said in conclusion. "To me it is the sacred power of our citizens saying 'my vote counts.'

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