Nevada Gov.-elect Aaron Ford announced his support for joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC), a move that would allocate the state’s electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. Ford, a Democrat, stated he would sign legislation to join the compact if it reaches his desk, citing the Electoral College’s historical ties to slavery and its repeated use in elections where the popular vote winner lost the presidency.
Ford initially opposed the NPVIC but reversed his position after conducting further research, according to interviews with local and national media. In a statement to Newsweek, a spokesperson for Ford emphasized that the incoming governor’s top priority remains addressing Nevada’s cost-of-living crisis, though he believes the compact can be pursued simultaneously.
Ford’s rationale for joining the NPVIC
Ford has framed his support for the compact as both a practical and moral issue. In separate interviews, he cited two instances in recent history where the Electoral College resulted in the popular vote winner losing the presidency: the 2000 and 2016 elections. He also argued that the Electoral College’s origins are rooted in racist underpinnings, a claim he has repeated in multiple public appearances.
During an appearance on MS NOW’s The Last Word, Ford told guest host Jonathan Capehart that he would sign a bill assigning Nevada’s electoral votes to the national popular vote winner. "The Electoral College has resulted in two people who have won the popular vote not being our president, and we know that it also has its base in slavery, and it’s based in racist underpinnings that we should no longer be touting," Ford said.
How the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact works
The NPVIC is an agreement among states to pledge their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote, regardless of the outcome in their individual state. The compact takes effect once enough states join to collectively hold 270 electoral votes, the threshold required to elect a president. As of the midterm elections, the compact included states totaling 222 electoral votes, according to the National Popular Vote organization, which advocates for the change.
Pat Rosenstiel, a senior consultant with National Popular Vote, told Newsweek that the organization is actively engaging with legislators, governors, and coalition partners to expand the compact. "We are working with legislators, governors, coalition partners and citizens to do anything in our power to elect the president by national popular vote in 2028," Rosenstiel said. "We welcome Governor Ford to the movement and are very grateful for his support."
Reaction to Ford’s announcement
Ford’s decision has drawn attention from advocacy groups and political observers. Supporters of the NPVIC, including Rosenstiel, praised Ford’s reversal, framing it as a step toward modernizing the presidential election process. The compact’s proponents argue that it would ensure the presidency reflects the national popular vote, eliminating disparities where the Electoral College overrides the will of the majority.
No direct opposition to Ford’s stance was reported in the cited sources, though the compact itself has faced criticism from some legal scholars and political analysts who argue it circumvents the constitutional amendment process required to reform the Electoral College. The NPVIC’s constitutionality has been a subject of debate, with opponents contending that it undermines the federalist structure of the U.S. election system.
Next steps for Nevada
Ford’s transition team has indicated that while affordability remains his top priority, he sees the NPVIC as a complementary effort. Tai Sims, a spokesperson for Ford, reiterated in a statement to Newsweek that the governor-elect is focused on addressing Nevada’s economic challenges but did not provide a timeline for when legislation to join the compact might be introduced or voted on in the state legislature.
The Nevada State Legislature, where Democrats hold a trifecta (control of the governor’s mansion and both legislative chambers), would need to pass a bill adopting the compact before it could be enacted. The earliest such legislation could take effect would be for the 2024 presidential election, though experts note that the compact’s effective date depends on when enough states join to reach the 270-vote threshold.