VirginiaSB3222026 Regular SessionSenate

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

Sponsored By: Adam P. Ebbin (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 HB 965.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Virginia joins national popular vote agreement

Virginia enters an agreement to award its presidential electors based on the national popular vote. The agreement takes effect only after member states together hold a majority of all electoral votes. When it applies, the compact’s rules override any conflicting Virginia law for that election. A withdrawal within six months of a President’s term ending does not take effect until the next President or Vice President is qualified. Until the agreement is in force, Virginia uses its regular method to choose electors.

Election officials count the national vote

Member states must hold a statewide popular vote for President and Vice President. When the agreement applies, Virginia’s chief election official adds up national popular votes across member states and names the slate with the most votes the national winner. Virginia then certifies electors for that winning slate, with tie and slate-size rules in place. Officials must finish counts, release results, and send final statements at least six days before electors meet; statements go to other member states within 24 hours and count as final under federal law.

Fallback rules and voting schedule for electors

If the compact is not in force, a vote for a presidential ticket counts as a vote for each elector candidate on that ticket. Virginia’s electors are the candidates with the most votes statewide. Balloting for electors happens at the general election in November 2028 and every four years after. Each voter selects as many electors as Virginia has U.S. senators and representatives.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Adam P. Ebbin

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 69

House vote 2/25/2026

Passed House

Yes: 62 • No: 36

House vote 2/20/2026

Reported from Privileges and Elections

Yes: 13 • No: 8

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/3/2026

Reported from Privileges and Elections

Yes: 8 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0716)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 716 (Effective - see bill)

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

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

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB322)

    2/27/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB322ER)

    2/27/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    2/27/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    2/27/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/27/2026House
  10. Passed House (62-Y 36-N 0-A)

    2/25/2026House
  11. Read third time

    2/25/2026House
  12. Read second time

    2/24/2026House
  13. Reported from Privileges and Elections (13-Y 8-N)

    2/20/2026House
  14. Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

    2/12/2026House
  15. Read first time

    2/12/2026House
  16. Placed on Calendar

    2/12/2026House
  17. Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    2/9/2026Senate
  18. Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

    2/6/2026Senate
  19. Read second time

    2/6/2026Senate
  20. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/5/2026Senate
  21. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/5/2026Senate
  22. Rules suspended

    2/5/2026Senate
  23. Reported from Privileges and Elections (8-Y 6-N)

    2/3/2026Senate
  24. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB322)

    1/29/2026Senate
  25. Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

    1/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

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