HARTFORD, Conn. -- Supporters of a state bill to change the way the nation elects the president turned up at a hearing in large numbers Friday.

The bill is aimed at eliminating the Electoral College and allowing the national popular vote to determine the country's president. Eyewitness News reported that no one present at the hearing Friday voiced opposition to the passing of the bill.

"We have this system that shuts out over two-thirds of the country including Connecticut," said Connecticut native Barry Fatam, who traveled from California to voice his support. "The candidate receiving the most votes in all 50 states should be elected president. It's the way we elect every other office in this country, except for president."

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Erika Arias reported that many people think that in a presidential election it's their vote that elects the president but it's actually very indirect. She reported that each vote helps elect the Electoral College delegate, who in turn chooses the president.

"The ideal way is to put the vote in hands of the people is to eliminate the Electoral College and change the U.S. Constitution," said Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz.

Bysiewicz said electing the president by popular vote would encourage more people to get out and vote if they knew their vote mattered.

"Under a popular vote system your vote counts for more. Had we had a popular vote system in place in 2000 and 2004 we'd have very different presidents elected," said Bysiewicz.

"It also impacts the messages, if you don't have to worry about Connecticut then you don't have to worry about the issues that are important to Connecticut," said Fatam.

Arias reported that 25 states must pass the bill before it can be considered on a national level.