Elections & terms
National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
An agreement among states to award their electoral votes to the national popular vote winner. It takes effect only if states holding 270 electoral votes join.
In full
The compact seeks a national popular vote outcome without amending the Constitution, using each state's existing power to direct how its electors are chosen. States holding fewer than 270 electoral votes have joined so far. Whether it would require congressional consent under the Compact Clause is unresolved and would certainly be litigated.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.