logo

Is Nevada considering awarding its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the popular vote?

By Noel Sims
YES

Both chambers of Nevada’s Legislature have passed AJR6, a proposed constitutional amendment that could make Nevada the 17th state (along with the District of Columbia) to sign onto the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.

Under NPVIC, states pledge their electoral college votes to the winner of the nationwide presidential popular vote, ensuring the victory of that candidate if enough states sign on to provide a 270 electoral-vote majority. The compact currently has 205 electoral votes; Nevada would add six more.

The Nevada Legislature would need to pass AJR6 again in 2025 before Nevada voters would have the chance to ratify it on the 2026 ballot.

Critics including Princeton Legal Journal argue that per the Constitution, states cannot enter into compacts without the permission of Congress. OLR Research Report and others point out that court precedent says this only applies to compacts that encroach on federal power.

The U.S. Supreme Court has not ruled on the compact's constitutionality.

Updated at 10:50 p.m. on 5/31/23 to correct the process by which Nevada would enter the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.
FACT BRIEF BY
facebook
twitter
email
email