What is the National Popular Vote Compact?

The National Popular Vote Compact is an agreement between states to award their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who receives the most votes nationally, instead of the candidate who receives the most votes in the state. Texas is a member of the agreement, which means that the state’s 38 electoral votes are awarded to the candidate who receives the most votes across all states and territories in the United States. The compact was created in response to the Electoral College system, which often times results in the candidate who receives the most votes nationally not winning the election – such as in the 2000 and 2016 presidential elections. Since Texas is a “winner take all” state, its 38 electoral votes were all awarded to the candidate who won the state, even if he or she did not win the most votes nationally. The National Popular Vote Compact is meant to ensure that the presidential candidate who receives the most votes across the United States is the one who is ultimately elected into office. Texas’ participation in the compact has come into question, as some Republican state lawmakers have argued that it could result in power shifting from smaller, rural states to the larger ones. As of now, Texas is still a part of the National Popular Vote Compact, but it remains to be seen whether or not it will stay involved.

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