Virginia House Bill HB375

Virginia 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/7/24
• Refer: 1/7/24

Caption

Presidential electors; National Popular Vote Compact.

Impact

Should this bill be enacted, it would have a profound effect on electoral processes in Virginia and potentially other states that choose to join the compact. By enacting this agreement, the bill aims to enhance democratic representation by emphasizing the will of the voters nationwide rather than adhering strictly to state-by-state electoral college votes. The legislation seeks to address concerns regarding the current electoral college mechanism, which can result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote.

Summary

House Bill 375 proposes the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote. This bill aims to change the way the President and Vice President of the United States are elected by allowing states to commit their electoral votes towards the candidate who wins the national popular vote. Each member state would conduct a statewide popular election, and the results would determine which slate of electors they appoint in support of the national popular vote winner. This bill does not take effect until states cumulatively representing a majority of electoral votes have enacted it.

Contention

Opposition to HB 375 often arises due to concerns surrounding the potential undermining of state sovereignty in elections. Some critics argue that this could weaken states’ influence over presidential elections, essentially centralizing power in a way that might not reflect local voter sentiments. Supporters of the bill argue that the current electoral framework does not adequately represent the popular will and that transitioning to a national popular vote would ensure that every vote counts equally on a national stage.

Legal provisions

The bill establishes regulations regarding the appointment of presidential electors, mandating that states shall certify electors based on the national popular vote winner. Furthermore, it includes provisions for states to withdraw from the agreement, ensuring some level of flexibility. If any part of the agreement is found invalid, the remaining provisions would still stand, preserving the overall intent of the legislation.