VA House · HB 965

National Popular Vote Compact; enters Virginia into an interstate compact.

In plain English (AI summary)

This legislation directs Virginia to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, an agreement among states to award their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the nationwide popular vote. Under the current system, Virginia typically awards all its electoral votes to the candidate who wins the plurality of the state's popular vote. By joining this compact, Virginia would bypass the traditional state-by-state allocation process once enough states representing a majority of the Electoral College join the agreement. Supporters argue this change ensures the presidency reflects the will of the entire American electorate, while critics express concerns that it undermines the role of individual states in the federal election process and could shift campaigning focus away from states like Virginia.

View original bill

Roll-call votes

Passage
Mar 2, 2026 · VA Senate · pass
21 – 19
Full roll call
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading)
Feb 26, 2026 · VA Senate · pass
40 – 0
Full roll call
Reported from Privileges and Elections
Feb 24, 2026 · VA Senate · pass
9 – 6
Arlington delegation
Full roll call
Roll call
Feb 12, 2026 · VA House · pass
61 – 36 · 3 other
Full roll call