HB965 — National Popular Vote Compact; enters Virginia into an interstate compact.

Summary

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

Bill Text

Compared against the Code of Virginia as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 3 section(s) of the Code of Virginia: 24.2-209.1, 24.2-209.2, 24.2-243.

• 24.2-209.1

  The Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote is enacted into law and entered into with all other jurisdictions legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows:

  Inserts “The Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote is enacted into law and entered into with all other jurisdictions legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows:”.

• 24.2-209.1

  Any state of the United States and the District of Columbia may become a member of this agreement by enacting this agreement.

  Inserts “Any state of the United States and the District of Columbia may become a member of this agreement by enacting this agreement.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  Each member state shall conduct a statewide popular election for President and Vice President of the United States.

  Inserts “Each member state shall conduct a statewide popular election for President and Vice President of the United States.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  Prior to the time set by law for the meeting and voting by the presidential electors, the chief election official of each member state shall determine the number of votes for each presidential slate in each state of the United States and in the District of Columbia in which votes have been cast in a statewide popular election and shall add such votes together to produce a "national popular vote total" for each presidential slate.

  Inserts “Prior to the time set by law for the meeting and voting by the presidential electors, the chief election official of each member state shall determine the number of votes for each presidential slate in each state of the United States and in the District of Columbia in which votes have been cast in a statewide popular election and shall add such votes together to produce a "national popular vote total" for each presidential slate.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  The chief election official of each member state shall designate the presidential slate with the largest national popular vote total as the "national popular vote winner."

  Inserts “The chief election official of each member state shall designate the presidential slate with the largest national popular vote total as the "national popular vote winner."”.

• 24.2-209.1

  The presidential elector certifying official of each member state shall certify the appointment in that official's own state of the elector slate nominated in that state in association with the national popular vote winner.

  Inserts “The presidential elector certifying official of each member state shall certify the appointment in that official's own state of the elector slate nominated in that state in association with the national popular vote winner.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  At least six days before the day fixed by law for the meeting and voting by the presidential electors, each member state shall make a final determination of the number of popular votes cast in the state for each presidential slate and shall communicate an official statement of such determination within 24 hours to the chief election official of each other member state.

  Inserts “At least six days before the day fixed by law for the meeting and voting by the presidential electors, each member state shall make a final determination of the number of popular votes cast in the state for each presidential slate and shall communicate an official statement of such determination within 24 hours to the chief election official of each other member state.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  The chief election official of each member state shall treat as conclusive an official statement containing the number of popular votes in a state for each presidential slate made by the day established by federal law for making a state's final determination conclusive as to the counting of electoral votes by Congress.

  Inserts “The chief election official of each member state shall treat as conclusive an official statement containing the number of popular votes in a state for each presidential slate made by the day established by federal law for making a state's final determination conclusive as to the counting of electoral votes by Congress.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  In event of a tie for the national popular vote winner, the presidential elector certifying official of each member state shall certify the appointment of the elector slate nominated in association with the presidential slate receiving the largest number of popular votes within that official's own state.

  Inserts “In event of a tie for the national popular vote winner, the presidential elector certifying official of each member state shall certify the appointment of the elector slate nominated in association with the presidential slate receiving the largest number of popular votes within that official's own state.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  If, for any reason, the number of presidential electors nominated in a member state in association with the national popular vote winner is less than or greater than that state's number of electoral votes, the presidential candidate on the presidential slate that has been designated as the national popular vote winner shall have the power to nominate the presidential electors for that state, and that state's presidential elector certifying official shall certify the appointment of such nominees.

  Inserts “If, for any reason, the number of presidential electors nominated in a member state in association with the national popular vote winner is less than or greater than that state's number of electoral votes, the presidential candidate on the presidential slate that has been designated as the national popular vote winner shall have the power to nominate the presidential electors for that state, and that state's presidential elector certifying official shall certify the appointment of such nominees.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  The chief election official of each member state shall immediately release to the public all vote counts or statements of votes as they are determined or obtained.

  Inserts “The chief election official of each member state shall immediately release to the public all vote counts or statements of votes as they are determined or obtained.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  This article shall govern the appointment of presidential electors in each member state in any year in which this agreement is, on July 20, in effect in states cumulatively possessing a majority of the electoral votes.

  Inserts “This article shall govern the appointment of presidential electors in each member state in any year in which this agreement is, on July 20, in effect in states cumulatively possessing a majority of the electoral votes.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  This agreement shall take effect when states cumulatively possessing a majority of the electoral votes have enacted this agreement in substantially the same form and the enactments by such states have taken effect in each state.

  Inserts “This agreement shall take effect when states cumulatively possessing a majority of the electoral votes have enacted this agreement in substantially the same form and the enactments by such states have taken effect in each state.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  Any member state may withdraw from this agreement, except that a withdrawal occurring six months or less before the end of a President's term shall not become effective until a President or Vice President shall have been qualified to serve the next term.

  Inserts “Any member state may withdraw from this agreement, except that a withdrawal occurring six months or less before the end of a President's term shall not become effective until a President or Vice President shall have been qualified to serve the next term.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  The chief executive of each member state shall promptly notify the chief executive of all other states of when this agreement has been enacted and has taken effect in that official's state, when the state has withdrawn from this agreement, and when this agreement takes effect generally.

  Inserts “The chief executive of each member state shall promptly notify the chief executive of all other states of when this agreement has been enacted and has taken effect in that official's state, when the state has withdrawn from this agreement, and when this agreement takes effect generally.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  This agreement shall terminate if the electoral college is abolished.

  Inserts “This agreement shall terminate if the electoral college is abolished.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  If any provision of this agreement is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected.

  Inserts “If any provision of this agreement is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  For purposes of this agreement:

  Inserts “For purposes of this agreement:”.

• 24.2-209.1

  "Chief election official" shall mean the state official or body that is authorized to certify the total number of popular votes for each presidential slate.

  Inserts “"Chief election official" shall mean the state official or body that is authorized to certify the total number of popular votes for each presidential slate.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  "Chief executive" shall mean the governor of a state of the United States or the mayor of the District of Columbia.

  Inserts “"Chief executive" shall mean the governor of a state of the United States or the mayor of the District of Columbia.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  "Elector slate" shall mean a slate of candidates who have been nominated in a state for the position of presidential elector in association with a presidential slate.

  Inserts “"Elector slate" shall mean a slate of candidates who have been nominated in a state for the position of presidential elector in association with a presidential slate.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  "Presidential elector" shall mean an elector for President and Vice President of the United States.

  Inserts “"Presidential elector" shall mean an elector for President and Vice President of the United States.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  "Presidential elector certifying official" shall mean the state official or body that is authorized to certify the appointment of the state's presidential electors.

  Inserts “"Presidential elector certifying official" shall mean the state official or body that is authorized to certify the appointment of the state's presidential electors.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  "Presidential slate" shall mean a slate of two persons, the first of whom has been nominated as a candidate for President of the United States and the second of whom has been nominated as a candidate for Vice President of the United States, or any legal successors to such persons, regardless of whether both names appear on the ballot presented to the voter in a particular state.

  Inserts “"Presidential slate" shall mean a slate of two persons, the first of whom has been nominated as a candidate for President of the United States and the second of whom has been nominated as a candidate for Vice President of the United States, or any legal successors to such persons, regardless of whether both names appear on the ballot presented to the voter in a particular state.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  "State" shall mean a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.

  Inserts “"State" shall mean a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.”.

• 24.2-209.1

  "Statewide popular election" shall mean a general election in which votes are cast for presidential slates by individual voters and counted on a statewide basis.

  Inserts “"Statewide popular election" shall mean a general election in which votes are cast for presidential slates by individual voters and counted on a statewide basis.”.

• 24.2-209.2

  When the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote (Agreement) governs the appointment of presidential electors for a presidential election as provided in the ninth clause of Article III of that Agreement, as provided for in § 24.2-209.1, the provisions of that Agreement shall supersede any conflicting provisions of the laws of the Commonwealth.

  Inserts “When the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote (Agreement) governs the appointment of presidential electors for a presidential election as provided in the ninth clause of Article III of that Agreement, as provided for in § 24.2-209.1, the provisions of that Agreement shall supersede any conflicting provisions of the laws of the Commonwealth.”.

• 24.2-243

  The qualified voters of the Commonwealth shall choose → A. Balloting for

  Replaces “The qualified voters of the Commonwealth shall choose” with “A. Balloting for”.

• 24.2-243

  shall occur

  Inserts “shall occur”.

• 24.2-243

  2024 → 2028

  Replaces “2024” with “2028”.

• 24.2-243

  Each voter shall vote for a → The

  Replaces “Each voter shall vote for a” with “The”.

• 24.2-243

  that equals → to be appointed shall equal

  Replaces “that equals” with “to be appointed shall equal”.

• 24.2-243

  B. The manner of appointing such electors shall be as follows:

  Inserts “B. The manner of appointing such electors shall be as follows:”.

• 24.2-243

  1. When the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote does not govern the appointment of presidential electors, a vote cast for a presidential-vice-presidential slate shall be deemed to be a vote for each of the elector candidates nominated by the political party or group of qualified voters that nominated that presidential-vice-presidential slate. The Commonwealth's electors for President and Vice President of the United States shall be the elector candidates who receive the highest number of votes in the Commonwealth in the balloting conducted pursuant to subsection A

  Inserts “1. When the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote does not govern the appointment of presidential electors, a vote cast for a presidential-vice-presidential slate shall be deemed to be a vote for each of the elector candidates nominated by the political party or group of qualified voters that nominated that presidential-vice-presidential slate. The Commonwealth's electors for President and Vice President of the United States shall be the elector candidates who receive the highest number of votes in the Commonwealth in the balloting conducted pursuant to subsection A”.

• 24.2-243

  2. When the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote governs the appointment of the Commonwealth's presidential electors, the Commonwealth's electors shall be the elector candidates determined in accordance with the procedures of § 24.2-209.1 using the number of votes received in the Commonwealth in the balloting conducted pursuant to subsection A.

  Inserts “2. When the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote governs the appointment of the Commonwealth's presidential electors, the Commonwealth's electors shall be the elector candidates determined in accordance with the procedures of § 24.2-209.1 using the number of votes received in the Commonwealth in the balloting conducted pursuant to subsection A.”.

Action History

1. April 13, 2026

   Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0715)

2. April 13, 2026

   Approved by Governor - Chapter 715 (effective - see bill)

3. March 11, 2026

   H Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB965)

4. March 10, 2026

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

5. March 10, 2026

   H Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

6. March 09, 2026

   S Signed by President

7. March 09, 2026

   H Signed by Speaker

8. March 09, 2026

   H Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB965ER)

9. March 09, 2026

   H Enrolled

10. March 02, 2026

    S Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

11. February 27, 2026

    S Passed by for the day

12. February 27, 2026

    S Read third time

13. February 26, 2026

    S Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

14. February 26, 2026

    S Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

15. February 26, 2026

    S Rules suspended

16. February 24, 2026

    S Reported from Privileges and Elections (9-Y 6-N)

17. February 17, 2026

    H Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB965)

18. February 13, 2026

    S Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

19. February 13, 2026

    S Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

20. February 12, 2026

    H Read third time and passed House (61-Y 36-N 0-A)

21. February 11, 2026

    H Engrossed by House as amended

22. February 11, 2026

    H committee amendments agreed to

23. February 11, 2026

    H Read second time

24. February 10, 2026

    H Read first time

25. February 06, 2026

    H Reported from Privileges and Elections with amendment(s) (14-Y 8-N)

26. February 06, 2026

    H House committee offered

27. February 06, 2026

    H Placed on Privileges and Elections Agenda

28. February 06, 2026

    H Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (5-Y 3-N)

29. February 06, 2026

    H House subcommittee offered

30. February 06, 2026

    H House subcommittee offered

31. February 03, 2026

    H Placed on Privileges and Elections Agenda

32. February 03, 2026

    H Assigned HPE sub: Voting Rights

33. January 26, 2026

    H Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB965)

34. January 13, 2026

    H Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

35. January 13, 2026

    H Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100314D

Sponsors

• Marcia S. "Cia" Price · Primary

Votes

Subjects