Gov. signs national popular vote bill

Gov. Deval Patrick has signed a bill that would award the state's Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote.

The new law is part of a nationwide effort to get the backing of enough states so the candidate who wins the most votes nationally would be guaranteed the presidency.

The legislation will not go into effect until states possessing a majority of Electoral College votes pass similar legislation.

The bill passed in the Massachusetts House on a 113-35 vote and in the Senate by a 28-9 vote.

Similar bills are being pushed in other states. The effort is being championed by the government watchdog group Common Cause.

Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, Hawaii and Washington state have already approved the measure.