The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Undermines Constitutional Protections for Smaller States
Source: Brianna Lyman. "Spanberger Signs Bill To Tie Virginia's Electoral Votes To California." April 15, 2026. thefederalist.com
The Gist
The author argues that Virginia joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is bad because it would let big states like California control presidential elections, even if Virginia voters choose differently. This goes against what the founders wanted - a system that protects smaller states from being overpowered by big cities.
Conclusion
Virginia's participation in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is harmful because it undermines the Electoral College system that protects smaller states from being dominated by densely populated states
Premises
- The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact would allow densely populated states like California and New York to dictate election outcomes regardless of how individual states vote
- The Electoral College was specifically designed by the founders to prevent 'tyranny of the majority' and protect smaller states' political representation
- The current system forces candidates to consider the varying interests, economies, and industries of all states, not just larger ones
- Without Electoral College protections, smaller 'flyover states' would become politically irrelevant and at the mercy of citizens with different interests and needs
- The founders likely would not have ratified the Constitution without such protections for smaller states
- Democrats support this compact because it would give them 'unbridled power' by allowing them to focus only on high-turnout Democratic cities and states
Assumptions
- The founders' original intent should guide contemporary electoral policy
- Densely populated states have fundamentally different interests from less populated states
- Geographic distribution of political support is more important than raw vote totals
- The current Electoral College system effectively protects smaller states' interests
- Democratic support for the compact is primarily motivated by partisan advantage rather than democratic principles