Virginia Poised to Join National Popular Vote Compact, Sparking Debate Over Electoral College

Richmond, VA – Virginia is on the cusp of joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC), an agreement among states to award their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote, regardless of the outcome within each state. The bill has passed both chambers of the Virginia legislature and now awaits Governor Abigail Spanberger’s signature, potentially making Virginia the 19th state to join the compact.

What is the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact?

The NPVIC is a legislative strategy to effectively bypass the Electoral College and ensure the presidential candidate with the most votes nationwide wins the election. It utilizes a provision in the U.S. Constitution that allows state legislatures to determine how to allocate their Electoral College votes [1]. Currently, all states award electors based on the popular vote within their borders, with the exception of Maine and Nebraska, which use a district system.

Why is Virginia Considering This?

Supporters of the compact argue it would give equal weight to every vote in the country and force presidential campaigns to focus on a broader range of states, rather than just a handful of battlegrounds. Delegate Cia Price, a Democrat from Newport News who introduced the bill, highlighted that five presidents have taken office without winning the popular vote, leading to unequal representation [2]. In 2024, she noted, presidential campaigns largely focused on just seven states, leaving the other 43, including Virginia, on the sidelines.

Concerns and Opposition

Opponents, primarily Republicans, express concerns that the NPVIC would give disproportionate power to larger states like California, New York, Texas, and Florida. Republican House Leader Terry Kilgore warned that these states would have a significantly larger role in presidential elections [2]. Critics also point out that under the compact, Virginia would have been compelled to award its 13 electoral votes to Donald Trump in 2024, despite Kamala Harris winning the state by approximately six points [3].

Governor Spanberger’s Decision

Governor Abigail Spanberger is currently reviewing the legislation alongside other bills awaiting her signature. A spokesperson for the governor indicated she will carefully consider the bill’s implications [2]. If signed, Virginia would become the 19th state to join the compact, bringing the total number of electoral votes committed to the agreement closer to the 270 needed for it to grab effect. [1]

What Happens Next?

The NPVIC will only go into effect when states representing at least 270 electoral votes have joined the agreement. The debate over the Electoral College and the NPVIC is likely to continue as more states consider joining the compact, raising fundamental questions about representation and the balance of power in presidential elections.