National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
Status as of September 2026:
0
270
538
Each square in the cartogram represents one electoral vote.
| |
| Drafted | January 2006 |
|---|---|
| Effective | Not in effect |
| Condition | Adoption by states (and D.C.) whose electoral votes comprise a majority in the Electoral College. The agreement is binding only where adopted. |
| Signatories | |
| Full text | |
 Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote at Wikisource | |
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) is an agreement among a group of U.S. states and the District of Columbia to award all their electoral votes to whichever presidential ticket wins the overall popular vote in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, regardless of which ticket won more votes in their individual state/district. Introduced in 2006, the compact is designed to ensure that the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide is elected president, and it would come into effect only when it would guarantee that outcome.
It has been joined by eighteen states and the District of Columbia as of September 2026. They have 222 electoral votes, which is 41% of the Electoral College and 82% of the 270 votes needed to give the compact legal force. The idea gained traction amongst scholars after George W. Bush won the presidential election but lost the popular vote in 2000, the first time the winner of the presidency had lost the popular vote since 1888.
Certain legal questions may affect implementation of the compact. Some legal observers believe states have plenary power to appoint electors as prescribed by the compact; others believe that the compact will require congressional consent under the Constitution's Compact Clause or that the presidential election process cannot be altered except by a constitutional amendment.