More on this event: In the United States, all public officials are elected by popular vote except two – the president and the vice-president. They are elected by the Electoral College. As a result, the candidates who receive the most electoral votes win. Five U.S. presidents and vice-presidents have won election despite receiving fewer popular votes than their opponents nationwide. This has happened twice within the last six U.S. presidential elections.

The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is a contract between the states that guarantees that the U.S. presidential and vice-presidential candidates who receive the most votes nationwide win the election. In order for the compact to go into operation, it must be enacted by enough states to equal the 270 electoral votes needed to win the Electoral College vote. To date, 15 states along with the District of Columbia have signed onto the compact, amounting to 196 electoral votes. Learn what actions we can take in NC to get it adopted.