The Electoral College vs. a National Popular Vote
Presidents are chosen by 538 electors, and a candidate needs 270 to win. Twice since 2000, the winner got fewer votes nationwide. A compact among states would give their electors to the national vote winner, but only once enough states join.
The basics
The president is elected by 538 electors, and a candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win1. Forty-eight states give all of their electors to the candidate who wins the statewide vote1. Maine and Nebraska give one elector to the winner of each congressional district and two to the statewide winner1.
The Electoral College winner and the national popular vote winner are usually the same, but not always2. In the 2000 and 2016 elections, the candidate who won the presidency received fewer popular votes nationwide2.
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an agreement among states to give all of their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote3. It takes effect only when member states together hold at least 270 electoral votes3. Virginia joined in April 2026, raising the total to 222 electoral votes from 18 states and the District of Columbia34.
Public opinion leans toward a popular vote but splits by party. As of September 2024, 63% of Americans said they would prefer a national popular vote, including 80% of Democrats and 46% of Republicans5.
Key terms
- Elector
- A person chosen in each state to cast a vote for president; there are 538 in total1.
- Winner-take-all
- The method used by 48 states, in which the statewide winner receives all of the state's electors1.
- District method
- The method used by Maine and Nebraska, which award electors by congressional district plus two statewide1.
- National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
- An agreement among states to award their electors to the national popular vote winner once members hold 270 electoral votes3.
In Texas
Texas has 40 electoral votes for the 2024 and 2028 presidential elections, based on the 2020 Census1. Like 47 other states, Texas gives all of them to the statewide winner1.
Texas has not joined the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact4. States join by passing a law; in Virginia, for example, the governor signed the state's compact bill in April 20263.
How people see it
The strongest case for each view, in terms its supporters would recognize. We don't pick a side.
Keep the Electoral College as it is
Supporters say the Founders designed the system so presidents must win support across many states, not just big cities. It keeps the states at the center of presidential elections and contains disputes and recounts within single states. They call the compact an unconstitutional end run around the Electoral College6.
Keep it, but award electors by district
Supporters of the Maine and Nebraska approach say it keeps the Electoral College while letting more voters in each state matter, since candidates can win electors in districts they would otherwise ignore.
Use the National Popular Vote Compact
Supporters say every vote should count the same no matter which state it is cast in, and candidates should campaign nationwide rather than only in swing states3. They argue states already have the power to decide how to award electors, so a compact can reach a popular vote without amending the Constitution.
Abolish it by constitutional amendment
Supporters say the cleanest way to a national popular vote is to change the Constitution directly, so the result does not depend on a compact that states could leave or courts could challenge. They argue the person with the most votes should win.
Who decides
- U.S. Congress and the states: Could replace the Electoral College only through a constitutional amendment.
- Texas Legislature and governor: Decide how Texas awards its electors and whether Texas joins the compact.
- Courts: Would likely decide any legal challenge to the compact if it takes effect.
Questions to ask a candidate
- Should the president be the candidate who wins the most votes nationwide?
- Should Texas join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact? Why or why not?
- Should Texas award its electors by congressional district, like Maine and Nebraska?
- How would your preferred system change where candidates campaign and how recounts work?
Last reviewed 2026-09-26. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.
Sources
- Distribution of Electoral VotesNational Archives
- Electoral College Frequently Asked QuestionsNational Archives
- Spanberger signs Virginia into national popular vote pact, sparking constitutional debateWSET ABC13
- State status of National Popular Vote billNational Popular Vote
- Most Americans favor big changes to the political system that likely would require amending the ConstitutionPew Research Center
- 2016 Republican Party PlatformThe American Presidency Project, UC Santa Barbara