Maryland changes its electoral process

BALTIMORE, April 11 (UPI) -- Maryland has become the first U.S. state that would award electoral votes to the winner of a national popular vote for president.

Gov. Martin O'Malley signed the measure Tuesday.

The plan can not take effect, however, unless states with electoral votes totaling 270 -- the number of electoral votes needed to win the presidency -- participate. Until then, Maryland's electoral votes will continue to go to the winner of the state's popular vote, the Baltimore Sun reported.

Maryland has 10 Electoral College votes.