Virginia Joins National Popular Vote Compact

Virginia has officially joined the National Popular Vote Compact (NPVC), a coalition of states committed to awarding their electoral votes to the winner of the nationwide popular vote in presidential elections. Governor Abigail Spanberger signed the bill, bringing the total number of participating states to 18, along with the District of Columbia, which collectively holds 222 electoral votes. The compact will only take effect once states representing at least 270 electoral votes have signed on.

NPR

The NPVC's advancement in Virginia follows a significant shift in the state's political landscape, where Democrats gained control of both the governorship and the legislature in the previous election cycle. Delegate Dan Helmer emphasized that the push for the compact has been a decade-long effort, driven by concerns over threats to American democracy. He noted that a new generation of Democrats is motivated to take action to protect democratic principles.

NPR

Public sentiment regarding the NPVC reflects a notable partisan divide. According to a Pew Research Center survey, a majority of Americans prefer determining presidential election outcomes by popular vote rather than through the Electoral College. While 80% of Democrats support this shift, only 46% of Republicans share the same view. This division may be influenced by the fact that the last two presidents elected without winning the popular vote were Republicans—George W. Bush in 2000 and Donald Trump in 2016.

NPR

Supporters of the NPVC, including both Democratic and Republican strategists, argue that a popular vote system would allow candidates to engage with a broader electorate rather than focusing solely on battleground states. Patrick Rosenstiel, a conservative consultant for the NPVC, contended that every voter should be politically relevant, not just those in a few key areas. Alyssa Cass, a Democratic consultant, echoed this sentiment, stating that the current system renders the votes of many Americans irrelevant.

NPR

The NPVC is viewed by proponents as a more feasible alternative to a constitutional amendment. Advocates assert that the Constitution grants states the authority to determine how they allocate their electoral votes. However, some legal scholars argue that the framers intended for presidential elections to be conducted differently. Patrick Valencia, Iowa's deputy solicitor general, expressed concerns that the compact could undermine constitutionally mandated electoral processes. Rosenstiel acknowledged the likelihood of legal challenges if the NPVC reaches the necessary electoral threshold but remains confident in its constitutional grounding.

NPR

As Virginia's participation in the NPVC unfolds, the focus will shift to which states may join next and how potential legal disputes could shape the future of presidential elections in the United States. The compact's success hinges on garnering enough support to surpass the 270 electoral vote requirement, which would trigger a significant transformation in the electoral landscape.

NPR

“Bills have been introduced in almost every state, most passed in a bipartisan way. This is on the 5-yard line of making this a reality.” — Alyssa Cass, National Popular Vote Project Strategist

NPR

“I think the idea that any candidate, Republican or Democrat, can focus on the interests of simply the battleground states denies them the opportunity to speak with a full-throated support of most American voters,” — Patrick Rosenstiel, Senior Consultant, National Popular Vote

NPR

“Every ruling from any court and this current [Supreme Court] has said that states have latitude and what is called a plenary power to award electors,” — Patrick Rosenstiel, Senior Consultant, National Popular Vote

NPR