(WUSA)-- Nearly 200 years ago, Thomas Jefferson called the Electoral College "the most dangerous blot on our Constitution.

Today, the Maryland State Senate passed a bill that would do an end run around it. And it looks like the House of Delegates and the Governor will sign on to. The bill would give Maryland's ten Electors to the candidate who wins the national popular vote.

Four times in our history, the guy who won the most votes actually lost the election. You can blame the Electoral College.

Who can forget the last time? The 2000 election. The country torn apart after Al Gore won the popular vote -- but ultimately lost in the Supreme Court and the Electoral College.

State Senator Jamie Raskin has had enough. "We hope all the other states will commit to give their Electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. We're hoping it's a historic moment we've started a movement for real democracy in Presidential elections."

The Maryland Senate just passed Raskin's bill by a vote of 29-17. A House of Delegates committee also just voted strongly in favor; and the Governor has promised to sign it.

Supporters hope it will force Presidential candidates to widen their horizons beyond a handful of battleground states.

"Maryland is a safe Blue State. Virginia is a Safe Red state," says Sen. Raskin. "And we're all consignged to oblivion. The Democrats don't campaign here because they take it for granted, the Republicans don't campaign here because they think it's a lost cause. That's most of the country."

Critics complain it will just shift the battleground. "Without the Electoral College, we could have a President who just carried six to eight cities," says Maryland Sen. Mike Lenett,"Is that any better?"

And here's another twist. In 2000, when the state voted for Gore, it's Electors would have gone to Gore. In 2004, when it voted for Kerry, it's Electors would have gone to George W. Bush.

And critics say if you thought 2000 was chaotic, just wait. A nationwide vote could mean a nationwide recount. Florida times 50.

The change includes one big IF. It only takes effect if enough states to constitute a majority of the Electoral College sign on. California and Arkansas are working on it. But Maryland could be the first.