Governors-elect in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have indicated support for joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC), a multistate agreement to award electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote.
The NPVIC currently includes 18 states and the District of Columbia, totaling 222 electoral votes. The compact takes effect only when states holding at least 270 of the 538 electoral votes join. Pennsylvania Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro and Wisconsin Gov.-elect David Crowley, both Democrats, have expressed interest in advancing the proposal in their respective states.
Pennsylvania’s Role in the Compact
Pennsylvania Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro, re-elected on Nov. 3, confirmed his support for the NPVIC during a political conference on Nov. 7. Shapiro stated that he believes the national popular vote system would better reflect the will of voters and plans to work with lawmakers to determine the best path forward.
“My views on that have not changed,” Shapiro said. “I’ll work with lawmakers to figure out what the right mechanism is for moving forward on that.” He emphasized Pennsylvania’s significance in presidential elections, noting the state’s 13 million residents and its role as a key swing state.
Wisconsin’s Potential Shift
Wisconsin Gov.-elect David Crowley, whose party will control the state legislature for the first time in 16 years, also signaled openness to discussions about the compact. Crowley stated his interest in exploring alternatives to the Electoral College, telling reporters, “We can do away with it.”
Wisconsin and Pennsylvania were among six states where Democrats secured full control of state government following the Nov. 3 elections, alongside Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, and Nevada.
How the National Popular Vote Compact Works
The NPVIC is a legally binding agreement among participating states. Under the compact, member states pledge to award their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote, regardless of the outcome in their own state. The compact only activates once enough states join to reach 270 electoral votes, the threshold required to elect a president.
As of the latest count, the compact includes states totaling 222 electoral votes, leaving 48 electoral votes needed for activation. Supporters argue the system would ensure every vote carries equal weight, while opponents contend it diminishes the influence of smaller states in presidential elections.
Republican Opposition to the Compact
Critics, including Wisconsin’s top Assembly Republican, have argued that the compact would allow results from other states to override the votes of Wisconsin residents. The opposition reflects broader Republican concerns that the NPVIC could diminish the Electoral College’s role in protecting the interests of less populous states.
The debate over the NPVIC comes amid ongoing discussions about Electoral College reform, with proponents emphasizing fairness and opponents warning of unintended consequences for state representation in presidential elections.