Overview
- Virginia, which joined Monday with Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s signature, brought the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact to 18 states plus Washington, D.C., totaling 222 electoral votes.
- Under the compact, member states would award their presidential electors to the nationwide popular vote winner, but nothing changes until states in the pact reach 270 electoral votes.
- Virginia will keep assigning its electors based on its own statewide results until the threshold is met, so the new law has no effect unless more states join.
- The move drew a sharp partisan split, with the Virginia GOP calling it unconstitutional and saying it nullifies Virginians’ votes, while supporters said it ensures the presidency goes to the candidate who earns the most votes nationwide.
- Legal scrutiny is expected if the compact activates, with questions centered on whether Congress must approve such an interstate agreement and how courts would view states’ power to set rules for appointing electors.