National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
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| National Popular Vote Interstate Compact | |
|---|---|
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| Short title | National Popular Vote Interstate Compact |
| Long title | Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote |
| Enacted by | United States Congress (not required) |
| Introduced by | John Koza, Barry Fadem |
National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an agreement among United States states and the District of Columbia to elect the President of the United States by national popular vote. The compact aims to ensure that the president is elected by the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide, rather than through the Electoral College system. This initiative is supported by organizations such as the National Popular Vote Inc., Common Cause, and the League of Women Voters, and has been endorsed by notable figures like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain. The compact has also been discussed in various academic institutions, including Harvard University, Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley.
Background and rationale
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is based on the idea that the president should be elected by the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide, rather than through the Electoral College system, which can sometimes lead to a candidate winning the presidency without receiving the most popular votes, as seen in the 2000 United States presidential election and the 2016 United States presidential election. This compact is supported by various organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the NAACP, and the Sierra Club, which argue that the current system can lead to a situation where the winner of the popular vote does not win the presidency, as happened in the elections involving Al Gore and George W. Bush, as well as Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. The compact's supporters, including Michael Bloomberg and Mark Zuckerberg, also argue that the current system can lead to a situation where some votes count more than others, depending on the state in which they are cast, which can be seen in the voting patterns of states like California, Texas, and Florida. The compact has been discussed in various United States Senate and United States House of Representatives committees, including the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Provisions and operation
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact would require states that have joined the compact to award their electoral votes to the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide, rather than to the candidate who wins the most votes in that state. The compact would only take effect if states with a total of at least 270 electoral votes, the number needed to win the presidency, have joined the compact. The compact's provisions have been discussed by experts from institutions like the Brookings Institution, the Cato Institute, and the Heritage Foundation, and have been analyzed by scholars from Yale University, University of Chicago, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The compact's operation would involve the cooperation of state officials, including secretaries of state and governors, from states like New York, Illinois, and Ohio. The compact has also been supported by various Democratic Party (United States) and Republican Party (United States) officials, including Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell.
Legislative history and status
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact has been introduced in various state legislatures, including those of California, New York, and Illinois, and has been signed into law by governors like Jerry Brown and Andrew Cuomo. The compact has also been considered by the New Jersey Legislature and the Maryland General Assembly. As of 2022, 15 states and the District of Columbia have joined the compact, with a total of 196 electoral votes. The compact's legislative history has been discussed by experts from institutions like the Pew Research Center and the Gallup (company), and has been analyzed by scholars from University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Duke University. The compact's status has been supported by various organizations, including the American Bar Association and the National Association of Secretaries of State.
Legal and constitutional considerations
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact has raised various legal and constitutional considerations, including the question of whether the compact is consistent with the United States Constitution and federal law. The compact's supporters argue that it is constitutional because it does not require a constitutional amendment and is based on the Electoral College system, which is established by the Constitution. However, opponents argue that the compact could be seen as an attempt to circumvent the Electoral College system and could lead to legal challenges, as seen in cases like McPherson v. Blacker and Bush v. Gore. The compact's legal considerations have been discussed by experts from institutions like the Federalist Society and the American Constitution Society, and have been analyzed by scholars from Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University. The compact's constitutional considerations have also been supported by various organizations, including the National Rifle Association and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Support and opposition
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact has received support from various organizations and individuals, including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain. The compact is also supported by various Democratic Party (United States) and Republican Party (United States) officials, including Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell. However, the compact has also faced opposition from some states and individuals, including Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, who argue that the compact could lead to a situation where smaller states have less influence in the election process. The compact's support and opposition have been discussed by experts from institutions like the Center for American Progress and the Heritage Foundation, and have been analyzed by scholars from University of California, Los Angeles, University of Texas at Austin, and Georgia Institute of Technology. The compact's support has also been endorsed by various organizations, including the Sierra Club and the NAACP.
Support and opposition
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact has received support from various organizations and individuals, including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain. The compact is also supported by various Democratic Party (United States) and Republican Party (United States) officials, including Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell. However, the compact has also faced opposition from some states and individuals, including Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, who argue that the compact could lead to a situation where smaller states have less influence in the election process. The compact's support and opposition have been discussed by experts from institutions like the Center for American Progress and the Heritage Foundation, and have been analyzed by scholars from University of California, Los Angeles, University of Texas at Austin, and Georgia Institute of Technology. The compact's support has also been endorsed by various organizations, including the Sierra Club and the NAACP.
Impact and analysis
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact could have a significant impact on the way presidential elections are conducted in the United States. If the compact were to take effect, it could lead to a situation where the president is elected by the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide, rather than through the Electoral College system. The compact's impact has been analyzed by experts from institutions like the Brookings Institution and the Cato Institute, and has been discussed by scholars from Yale University, University of Chicago, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The compact's analysis has also been supported by various organizations, including the American Enterprise Institute and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The compact's potential impact on the election process has been discussed by experts like Larry Sabato and Nate Silver, and has been analyzed by scholars from University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Duke University. The compact's impact on the 2020 United States presidential election and the 2024 United States presidential election has also been discussed by experts from institutions like the Pew Research Center and the Gallup (company).