Most of the nation’s attention on Tuesday, rightfully, was trained on the House and the Senate, both of which Democrats won in historic fashion. But something just as important took place: Democrats won trifectas, meaning the governor’s office and both chambers of the legislature, in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Nevada. That makes possible something that has been a long shot for years: the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
What is the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact?
The compact is an agreement among states, wherein each state that joins promises to award all of its electoral votes to whichever presidential ticket wins the popular vote nationwide. It goes into effect only when its members hold 270 electoral votes, a majority of the Electoral College. No constitutional amendment is required, because the Constitution lets each state decide how to award its own electors.
The unfortunate reality about presidential elections is that fewer than 10 states really matter. The campaigns bounce between key battleground states and ignore everyone else. Twice in this century, in 2000 and 2016, the candidate with the most votes lost the presidency.
In a country that calls itself a democracy, it isn’t unreasonable to believe the person who gets the most votes should get the job.
What changed on Tuesday?
As of now, 18 states and DC have already joined the NPVIC, holding 222 electoral votes. Because it only goes into effect at 270, that leaves the compact 48 votes short.
But consider what Tuesday delivered. Minnesota is already in, so it adds nothing. But Pennsylvania has 19 electoral votes, Michigan 15, Arizona has 11, Wisconsin has 10, and Nevada has 6. That’s 61 new potential votes, which lifts the total to 283. The compact is within reach.
What stands in our way?
I won’t pretend it will be easy. Even if every one of these states acts, 283 is only 13 votes over the line; lose Pennsylvania later, for example, and the compact falls to 264. The 2030 census and its reapportionment of electoral votes could alter the map and put the compact back under 270. Opponents will inevitably challenge it in court. And of course, some of those battleground states won’t even want to surrender the disproportionate attention (and rallies, campaign promises, and money).
All of which is to say, nothing is automatic.
What can we learn from Trump?
Donald Trump’s recklessness could be instructive here. Let me explain.
Consider what Trump has gotten done. He wanted a ballroom, so he demolished the East Wing to build one. He wanted a helipad, so he built it. He wanted a gold-encrusted Oval Office, so he got it. He wanted banners of his own face on federal buildings, so he hung them. He wanted his Reflecting Pool redone, so it was redone.
Yes, it was all an egregious waste of money. And yes, it was a testament to his clinically fragile ego and expansive narcissism. But the point isn’t the ballroom. It’s the will. He proved that the institutions that always seem to trip Democrats up are indeed not quite as sacrosanct as we might have believed. And while he proved it for selfish reasons, for the sake of ego, the left can prove it for something virtuous: a country where every American’s vote counts the same.
The voters handed Democrats power. The question isn’t whether we deserve it. It’s whether we’ll use it. If there’s one lesson I’d want every Democrat in these governor’s offices and state legislatures to take from the last few years, it’s that power exists to get things done.
My promise to you
Here’s my promise: I will not settle for preserving the status quo. I will use my platform to press - and demand, if necessary - governors and legislators in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Arizona to become signatories to the NPVIC. We have watched Democrats squander their majorities before; I don’t intend to allow it to happen again.
For those looking to help, expect a mobilization effort in each of those states. Be on the lookout for emails with further instructions to best coordinate our messaging to pack the biggest punch. If you’re not yet subscribed, please take this opportunity to subscribe. If you are subscribed, standby for next steps.
We have the votes. We have the moment. Let’s act like it.
Please make it so! 🤔👍
They need to push this nationwide. It would force candidates to campaign in every state which…is kind of the idea? The blue voter in Wyoming benefits; the red voter in California benefits.
The electoral college is no longer necessary. The whole idea was to avoid an unqualified candidate being elected by the people and act as a guardrail. If there was any time it should have been used, it would have been for electing a corrupt game-show host rapist TWICE.