Signature Gathering Approved For Electoral College Initiative

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Backers of an initiative calling for California's elected officials to use their authority to cause presidential elections to be decided by the popular vote have received permission to begin gathering signatures, Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced Monday.

The initiative suggests amending the Constitution to eliminate or modify the Electoral College process; adopting interstate compacts regarding the allocation of electors; other related legislation and pursuing litigation.

Valid signatures from 365,880 registered voters -- 5 percent of the total votes cast for governor in the 2014 general election -- must be submitted by Aug. 30 to qualify the measure for the November 2018 ballot, according to Padilla.

-- City News Service, photo via Shutterstock