Politics

Va. House Approves Bill To Give Electoral Votes To Popular Vote Winner

It would enter Virginia into what's called the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.

Va. House Approves Bill To Give Electoral Votes To Popular Vote Winner
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Virginia's House of Delegates has passed a measure that would give the state's electoral college votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote.

Lawmakers voted Tuesday to approve the legislation. It would enter Virginia into what's called the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.

Under the agreement, participating states put their electoral votes toward the popular vote winner instead of the winner of their own state. 

The compact goes into effect when it's been adopted by states possessing the majority of the electoral votes, which is 270 out of 538. So far, 15 states and Washington, D.C., have enacted the bill for a total of 196 electoral votes.

In order for Virginia to join those states, the measure will need to clear the Senate and be signed into law by Gov. Ralph Northam.