Mass. Senate Approves National Popular Vote Bill

The Massachusetts Senate has passed a bill that would give the state's Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote.

The bill approved by the Senate 28-10 late Thursday night is part of a nationwide effort to secure the agreement of enough states so the winner of the national popular vote would be guaranteed to win the presidency.

The bill will not go into effect until states possessing a majority of Electoral College votes pass similar legislation. Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, Hawaii and Washington state have approved the measure.

The House passed its version of the legislation in June.

The bill will now be sent to Gov. Deval Patrick.