VirginiaHB9652026 Regular SessionHouse

National Popular Vote Compact; enters Virginia into an interstate compact.

Sponsored By: Marcia S. "Cia" Price (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Presidential electors; National Popular Vote Compact. Enters Virginia into an interstate compact known as the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote. Article II of the Constitution of the United States gives the states exclusive and plenary authority to decide the manner of awarding their electoral votes. Under the compact, Virginia agrees to award its electoral votes to the presidential ticket that receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The compact goes into effect when states cumulatively possessing a majority of the electoral votes have joined the compact. A state may withdraw from the compact; however, a withdrawal occurring within six months of the end of a President's term shall not become effective until a President or Vice President has qualified to serve the next term. The bill also provides for the manner of appointing electors when such agreement does and does not govern the appointment of electors. This bill is identical to SB 322.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

How Virginia allocates electors under compact

When the compact governs, Virginia uses the national popular vote to choose its presidential electors. The chief election official adds Virginia’s totals to other states, names the national popular vote winner, and certifies that slate for Virginia. The official finalizes Virginia’s vote totals at least six days before electors meet, shares them with member states within 24 hours, and releases counts to the public. If the national vote is tied, Virginia certifies the slate that got the most votes in Virginia. If the winning slate does not have the right number of Virginia nominees, the winning presidential candidate names Virginia’s electors. If the compact does not govern that year, Virginia uses its usual rule: votes for a ticket count for that ticket’s elector candidates, and the top vote-getters become electors.

Virginia joins national popular vote compact

The law enters Virginia into the National Popular Vote compact. The compact applies in any election year when, on July 20, member states hold a majority of electoral votes. When it applies, compact rules override any conflicting Virginia law on appointing electors. The Governor must promptly tell other states when Virginia joins, withdraws, or when the compact takes effect. A withdrawal within six months of a President’s term ending takes effect after the next President or Vice President is qualified. If the Electoral College is abolished, the compact ends.

Presidential voting timeline and elector count

Virginia holds its statewide vote for President and Vice President at the November 2028 general election and every four years after. The number of Virginia presidential electors equals the state’s U.S. senators and representatives. That number can change if Virginia’s congressional seats change.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marcia S. "Cia" Price

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 150 • No: 72

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Reported from Privileges and Elections

Yes: 9 • No: 6

House vote 2/12/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 61 • No: 36

House vote 2/6/2026

Reported from Privileges and Elections with amendment(s)

Yes: 14 • No: 8

House vote 2/6/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 5 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0715)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 715 (Effective - see bill)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB965)

    3/11/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB965ER)

    3/9/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/9/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/9/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/9/2026House
  10. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/2/2026Senate
  11. Passed by for the day

    2/27/2026Senate
  12. Read third time

    2/27/2026Senate
  13. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/26/2026Senate
  14. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/26/2026Senate
  15. Rules suspended

    2/26/2026Senate
  16. Reported from Privileges and Elections (9-Y 6-N)

    2/24/2026Senate
  17. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB965)

    2/17/2026House
  18. Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

    2/13/2026Senate
  19. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/13/2026Senate
  20. Read third time and passed House (61-Y 36-N 0-A)

    2/12/2026House
  21. Engrossed by House as amended

    2/11/2026House
  22. committee amendments agreed to

    2/11/2026House
  23. Read second time

    2/11/2026House
  24. Read first time

    2/10/2026House
  25. Reported from Privileges and Elections with amendment(s) (14-Y 8-N)

    2/6/2026House

Bill Text

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