Virginia weighs joining national popular vote plan

(The Center Square) – Virginia lawmakers are considering whether the commonwealth should join a multistate agreement that would tie its presidential electoral votes to the national popular vote.

The proposal is known as the National Popular Vote Compact. States that join agree to award their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most votes nationwide, rather than the candidate who wins their individual state.

The agreement would not take effect until participating states control at least 270 electoral votes, the number needed to win the presidency. Until that threshold is reached, states would continue awarding electors under existing law.

Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have enacted the compact so far, representing 209 electoral votes.

Senate Bill 322 on Monday passed 21-19, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposed.

The House Privileges and Elections Committee advanced companion measure House Bill 965 on Friday 14-8. The legislation now heads to the full House of Deleg...