Freshman Legislator wants to do away with Electoral College

Roseann Moring, political reporter in Jefferson City for the Springfield News-Leader posted this story yesterday evening: Hough sponsors bill in favor of presidential election by popular vote

JEFFERSON CITY — The House Elections Committee heard a bill from Rep. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, that would move the country toward electing a president by popular vote rather than through the electoral college.

Representatives from National Popular Vote told the committee that the bill would give each person more of a say in presidential elections, particularly voters in states that are not considered battleground states.

“We’re talking about entire states being ignored,” said Tom Galisano, a spokesman for the national campaign.

But opponents say the bill would lead presidential candidates to focus on large population areas and the founders of the country specifically chose to make the country a republic rather than a democracy.

The bill also encountered opposition from several committee members.

Hough said he learned of the idea from constituents, and he contacted the organization pushing the issue.

“Don’t you think it should be fair and equitable nationally?” he said.

He doesn’t expect the bill to move forward this session.

Isn't the Electoral College part of the U.S. Constitution? Is Hough advocating changing the Constitution? I thought he was, like Billy Long, one of those guys who kept his constitution 'rode hard and put away wet'.

In 2008, Hough stirred the pot with an interview he gave to
Springfield's GO magazine.

Controversy also followed Hough in 2010 over whether or not he paid personal property taxes on $100,000 worth of hay hauling equipment.