TOM RUSSELL SPEAKS WITH JOEL D. SMITH/ POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT AND CBS21 ANCHOR
Could this happen in Pennsylvania?
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Virginia isn’t “getting rid of” the Electoral College on its own — no single state can do that — but it has joined the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC), which is an agreement among states to effectively bypass the Electoral College without amending the Constitution.
🗳️ The core idea
Virginia passed House Bill 965 and joined the NPVIC, agreeing that once enough states join the compact to total 270 electoral votes, it will award all of its electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote, regardless of who wins in Virginia.
📌 What this means
- Virginia still has the Electoral College — the Constitution requires it.
- But Virginia is choosing to use its constitutional power to decide how its electors vote.
- The compact only activates when participating states collectively reach 270 electoral votes (the number needed to win the presidency).
- As of the latest reporting, the compact has 222 electoral votes, including Virginia’s.
🧩 Why supporters say this works
Article II of the Constitution gives states broad authority to decide how to allocate electors. Supporters argue this makes the compact constitutional and ensures the presidency goes to the national popular vote winner.
⚖️ Why critics object
Some legal experts argue the compact may conflict with the Constitution and could face court challenges if it ever reaches 270 votes.
🕒 Is this change active now?
No. Virginia will continue using the traditional winner‑take‑all Electoral College system until the compact reaches 270 votes. It is currently short of that threshold