Subcommittee reports National Popular Vote Compact bill after heated testimony, 5–3
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Summary
House bill 9 65, the National Popular Vote Compact enabling legislation, drew extended debate from supporters who said it would make every vote matter and opponents who warned of procedural defects and possible exclusion of some states’ votes; the subcommittee reported the bill with amendments by a 5–3 vote.
The subcommittee considered house bill 9 65, the National Popular Vote Compact (NPV) bill, which would join Virginia to a compact pledging the state's electoral votes to the national popular vote winner once compact members reach 270 electoral votes. The presenter said the compact preserves the Electoral College while moving toward “one person, one vote” and argued it would make campaigns and turnout more national in scope.
Supporters including Jeffrey Jacobs (Reston), Tram Nguyen (New Virginia Majority), Jane Newell (League of Women Voters of Virginia), Liz White (Upvote Virginia) and Todd Park (Virginia Education Association) told the subcommittee the compact encourages participation and makes votes in non‑battleground states more consequential. Jeffrey Jacobs argued battleground states receive disproportionate federal attention and funding, and said the compact would equalize incentives for candidates.
Opponents raised process and contingency concerns. Sean Parnell (Save Our State's Action) said the compact contains “numerous defects” and warned that in some scenarios a state's vote might not be counted in the national tabulation; he cited an example in which West Virginia’s 2024 count would not have met compact deadlines. Parnell said lobbyists had suggested estimating totals or excluding a state in such cases and warned of potential crises; he said the compact “will not deliver on its promises” and at one point said it could lead to “another January 6 moment.”
Patrons and supporters pushed back, disputing opponents’ characterizations and asking the committee to consider Virginia’s role in encouraging national reform. Delegate O'Quinn and other delegates questioned opponents during a lengthy exchange about procedural scenarios. The patron said she would research legal standing and procedural scenarios before full committee consideration.
The subcommittee approved amendments and reported the bill to the floor by recorded vote, 5 to 3.