RICHMOND — Virginia’s upcoming November election could determine whether the state joins an agreement to elect the president by popular vote instead of the Electoral College.
The compact attempts to form an agreement where states would give their electoral votes to the candidate that wins the popular vote. The compact would only be enacted when enough states sign the agreement to decide the presidency.
A total of 270 electoral votes among supporting states are required. The compact would negate the need for constitutional changes to the electoral college.
In 2020, the Virginia House of Delegates passed a measure to join the agreement, but it fell short in the Senate. Alyssa Cass, national strategist with National Popular Vote, said Virginians understand how it feels to fade in and out of the national spotlight during presidential elections.
“Virginia has not been a swing state, been a swing state, and now gone back to not being a swing state again,” said Cass. “Voters in Virginia have been exposed to both sides of that reality, what it means when presidential candidates pay attention to you, and when they don’t.”
Opponents of a national popular vote argue the Electoral College protects the voices of smaller states from the sway of big cities. The Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, Abigail Spanberger, has not weighed in on where she stands on the issue.
A 2023 Pew Research Poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans support electing the president by popular vote. That includes nearly half of Republicans and more than 80% of Democrats.
Cass said enacting a national popular vote could bolster faith in democracy and motivate people to participate in elections.
“We’re at a moment of real potential peril for our democracy,” said Cass. “When most voters don’t have a lot of confidence in our current system. But it shouldn’t be a surprise that voters don’t have any confidence in the system, where the majority of their voices aren’t being heard.”
So far, 17 states and DC have signed onto the measure, totaling 209 electoral votes. Virginia’s support would add 13 new votes to that count.
