Overview
- Elections that gave Democrats unified control in Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Nevada have made it politically plausible for enough states to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact to reach 270 electoral votes.
- The compact currently has 18 states plus the District of Columbia for a total of 222 electoral votes and would take effect only when participating jurisdictions together control at least 270 electors.
- Nevada governor-elect Aaron Ford publicly endorsed joining and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he is open to working with lawmakers while some Democrats, including outgoing Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, urged caution about moving quickly.
- Legal and practical obstacles are expected: opponents cite the Constitution’s Compact Clause and Article II as grounds for court challenges and experts note the compact lacks a centralized national counting or recount mechanism.
- If states act, the next steps are state bills or referenda, gubernatorial approval and likely litigation that will determine whether any enactments can be implemented in time to affect the 2028 presidential election.