Overview
- Virginia entered the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, lifting the bloc to 222 electoral votes across 18 states plus Washington, D.C.
- The compact would award each member’s electors to the national popular-vote winner once participants hold 270 electoral votes, and until then Virginia’s system stays the same.
- Gov. Abigail Spanberger and advocates said the move aims to make every vote count equally nationwide, while Virginia Republicans called it unconstitutional and said it makes state votes “null and void.”
- Legal analysts expect court challenges if the pact reaches 270, with disputes likely focused on whether the Constitution’s Compact Clause requires Congress to approve such an agreement.
- All current members are Democratic-leaning and no 2024 Trump states have joined, and backers are pushing bills in swing states that could, if the pact takes effect, shift campaign tactics toward boosting national turnout.