Alabama HB 515 passed the House Constitution and Elections Committee on March 3, on a party-line vote. Democrats voted for it, Republicans voted against it. It would provide that the number of presidential electors any presidential candidate receives in Alabama would depend on what proportion of the popular vote the presidential candidate received. No state has ever used this idea. Thanks to Bob Friedman for the news.

The bill’s author in the House is Demetrius Newton (D-Birmingham). An identical bill in the Senate, SB 461, has not yet made any headway. It is sponsored by Linda Coleman (D-Birmingham).