Rhode Island committee hears bill to withdraw from National Popular Vote and separate measure to split state’s electors

Representative David Newberry introduced two related bills to the House Committee on State Government and Elections on March 25, 2025: H 5519 would withdraw Rhode Island from the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC), and H 5520 would change how Rhode Island’s four presidential electors are chosen by creating four elector districts.

Newberry said the bills “relate to the way we elect the president” and described H 5520 as a proposal to divide the state into four elector districts so each district elects one elector and the statewide winner receives two electors. He said the change aims to keep Rhode Island’s influence in presidential campaigns even if the state loses a U.S. House seat after the next census.

Supporters and opponents presented sharply divergent views. Sean Parnell, a witness who identified himself with Save Our States, told the committee that under the compact “Rhode Island’s 4 electors would no longer represent the people of Rhode Island.” Parnell and…