National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC)

[hurtinbuckaroo]

The prospect of states agreeing to circumvent the Electoral College by awarding electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote has been around for a while. It has gotten nowhere because the states that have signed on do not represent a majority of the votes. That could change in January:

“As a result of the 2026 midterm elections, Democrats have gained control over enough state government trifectas to pass the National Popular Vote Compact and give it a majority of at least 283 electoral votes”.

There are still constitutional hurdles, but I’d like to see the process start ASAP.

 

[TomC]

There are still constitutional hurdles, but I’d like to see the process start ASAP.

I don't think that there are any constitutional hurdles.
State legislatures can send anyone they want to the electoral college. That is constitutional law. If enough states to comprise a voting majority send delegates to vote for the candidates that have the most votes from the whole US electorate,
The USA will finally start electing our president.
Tom

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

The hurdle isn't the Constitution. It is this agreement is non-binding and not law. That is an awfully tricky wrinkle.

 

[TomC]

The hurdle isn't the Constitution. It is this agreement is non-binding and not law. That is an awfully tricky wrinkle.

It would be if states passed such laws.
I realize that the politicians don't want to give up the power and gravy train.

But if 283 votes worth of state legislatures passed laws requiring democracy electing Presidents, things would change. We The People would decide presidential elections.

And you know what I think is an even bigger deal? The biggest, most talked about, most important decision, would matter to the American people. At the moment it doesn't. Most people live in a place like me.

I live in Indiana. Trump got every EC vote Indiana had. It didn't matter if I voted or not.
TSwizzle lives in California, his vote didn't matter either.

The majority of the American people live in a state where the outcome of the presidential election is a foregone conclusion, way before the actual election. My vote doesn't count, and I know that going in. Kamala Harris could have gotten 49.9% of Hoosier votes and Trump would still get 100% of our EC delegates!
If everyone knew that their voice matters we would doubtlessly have more turnout and more engagement. That is what I see as the Big Fucking Deal with nationalpopularvote.com
Tom

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

I get the reason for it. I said it isn't binding. The only solid way to do it is via Constitutional Amendment. Any pact is at risk of dissolving.

 

[ZiprHead]

I'm not sure about this. This could disenfranchise a lot of voters.

I do like how some states are getting around Citizen United however.

 

[Shadowy Man]

I'm not sure about this. This could disenfranchise a lot of voters.

How so? I feel it’s the opposite. I would be happy knowing my vote for President counts the same as someone living in Wyoming.

 

[Elixir]

There are still constitutional hurdles, but I’d like to see the process start ASAP.

I don't think that there are any constitutional hurdles.
State legislatures can send anyone they want to the electoral college. That is constitutional law. If enough states to comprise a voting majority send delegates to vote for the candidates that have the most votes from the whole US electorate,
The USA will finally start electing our president.
Tom

Unless there are prescribed consequences for “breaking the pact”, I can’t see it holding together for more than one cycle.