Electoral College Reform

Virginia recently enacted a law joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, a multistate agreement that would have participating states allocate their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the nationwide popular vote once compact members together control at least 270 electoral votes. With Virginia’s addition the compact’s signatories now total 222 electoral votes—48 short of the 270 threshold—so state officials and observers note that Virginia will still award electors under its own results until enough other states join to trigger the arrangement. Supporters say the change is meant to ensure the presidency aligns with the national popular vote; critics, led by state Republican officials and amplified on conservative outlets, call the move unconstitutional and argue it could nullify Virginians’ votes by diverting the state’s electors to the national winner.