NPVIC - does anyone know about this?

[fernweh]

I might be embarrassing behind the times but I had never heard of this until today. The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact - would essentially make it so states that signed on would give all their electoral votes to whoever wins the national popular vote regardless of how their state votes.

It hasn’t enacted yet because they don’t have enough states signed in, but 17 states and DC have signed on - they need enough states that it would equal 270 electoral votes to ensure that the popular vote won.

ballotpedia.org/National_Popular_Vote_Interstate_Compact

[sonrisa]

I remember when this movement started (around the time I was in law school). I think it would make a huge difference in how national elections are conducted with many currently overlooked groups getting a voice.

I think it would lead to much more purple representation at the state level (placed currently written off by one or the other party would get some national attention, boosting the visibility of down ballot cross party candidates.

[ellipses84]

I’d heard of it but I actually didn’t realize the details or relation to 270 electoral college votes until your post. I thought it was just several states agreeing that they would change from electoral college to popular vote if we could get consensus from enough states. I like this even better! If your state isn’t involved, you can help make this happen!

[noodleoo]

Wow I have not heard of this and my state is apparently part of it. No surprise, we are reliably blue and sometimes it feels like my vote for president doesn’t matter. How many more states need to sign up for it to actually happen?

ETA: NVM I found the answer on the website:

Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin had a combined 54 electoral college votes. If those states gained Democratic trifectas in the 2024 election and voted to join the NPVIC, the compact would reach 263 votes—seven short of the 270 needed for the compact to go into effect. However, Ballotpedia rated North Carolina as having a slight possibility of gaining a Democratic trifecta. If that occurred and North Carolina, with 16 electoral college votes, joined the NPVIC alongside Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, then the compact would take effect with 279 votes.

[ellipses84]

My current state and 2/3 other states I’ve lived in are a part of it ☺️

[underwaterrhymes]

Sept 16, 2024 17:40:33 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

My current state and 2/3 other states I’ve lived in are a part of it ☺️

Same. Illinois, Massachusetts and Maryland are all 👍. Florida is a 👎.

[fernweh]

On Wikipedia (I know, I know) it shows my state as pending. Not sure what that means though… has it already been decided and just hasn’t taken effect yet?

[ellipses84]

Sept 16, 2024 18:05:44 GMT -5 fernweh said:

On Wikipedia (I know, I know) it shows my state as pending. Not sure what that means though… has it already been decided and just hasn’t taken effect yet?

If you click on the original link and scroll down a bit there’s a hyperlink that will take you to the status of the compact by state, and it explains some of the more recently passed ones.

[sillygoosegirl]

Trouble is that red states don't like it because the electoral college is basically the only way they can win an election and they know it. And I think the small and swing states tend to like the amplified voice they get with the current system.

But maybe one day. I definitely hadn't thought about how dems potentially only need to have control and will power for it for a brief time to pass the law. But the cynic in me thinks this will go the way of the equal right amendment...

[sonrisa]

Sept 17, 2024 9:55:01 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

dems potentially only need to have control and will power for it for a brief time to pass the law.
..

once passed, any state can also repeal it. (Unlike the ERA it won’t have the force of a constitutional amendment should it pass the threshold).

Here is a risk I foresee: imagine 272ish electoral votes sign up for the pact. Election is approaching. Any state legislature who doesn’t like the likely popular vote winner just ups and repeals their law in October.

I really think this country needs a popular vote presidency. I just don’t know I’ll see that become the law.

[sillygoosegirl]

Sept 17, 2024 11:17:17 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Sept 17, 2024 9:55:01 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

dems potentially only need to have control and will power for it for a brief time to pass the law.
..

once passed, any state can also repeal it. (Unlike the ERA it won’t have the force of a constitutional amendment should it pass the threshold).

Here is a risk I foresee: imagine 272ish electoral votes sign up for the pact. Election is approaching. Any state legislature who doesn’t like the likely popular vote winner just ups and repeals their law in October.

I really think this country needs a popular vote presidency. I just don’t know I’ll see that become the law.

OMG, that would be such a shitshow.