Governor Jim Douglas is giving a cool reception to a bill that would make Vermont part of a coalition of states trying to get around the electoral college and elect the president and vice president by popular vote.
Douglas spokesman Jason Gibbs says the governor is stopping short of saying that he would veto the proposal.
Under the bill, Vermont would join a coalition of states that would promise to send their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote.
Douglas says Vermont has more clout in presidential elections with the Electoral College than with a national popular vote.