By Maryanne Giustino O’Dowd, co-chair, National Popular Vote Committee, League of Women Voters of Wisconsin
The idea behind the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is simple: in a democracy, the presidential candidate who receives the most votes nationwide should win.
For the League of Women Voters, that principle is part of a larger commitment. The League has long supported direct popular election of the president and the abolition of the Electoral College. The National Popular Vote does not abolish the Electoral College – it represents a realistic, state-based, and more readily attainable step toward that goal. It would ensure the candidate who wins the most votes nationwide wins the presidency.
Under the National Popular Vote, states agree to award their electoral votes to the presidential and vice-presidential candidates who win the national popular vote. The compact takes effect only when enacted by states totaling 270 electoral votes, the number needed to win the presidency. As of today, NPVIC is enacted into law in 18 jurisdictions (17 states and the District of Columbia), representing a total of 209 electoral votes. Sixty-one to go!
This spring brought an important development in Wisconsin when Assembly Bill 1152 was introduced on March 13. A companion Senate bill, SB1117, followed on March 19. Both measures, however, failed to advance before the Legislature’s March deadline.
That does not signal an end to the National Popular Vote effort in Wisconsin. It serves as a reminder that introducing a bill is only one step in a much longer process.
So, what happens next? The National Popular Vote Committee of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin continues to focus on building momentum by educating voters, strengthening local conversations, expanding chapter engagement, and building sufficient visible grassroots support to give future legislation a stronger chance of receiving a hearing and moving forward.
Local Leagues are uniquely positioned to lead that work. Through presentations, community discussions, and newsletter outreach, chapters can help voters better understand how presidential elections work, why the current winner-take-all system sidelines so many voices, and why every vote in every state should matter.
The National Popular Vote Committee is available to present to League chapters and local civic groups, and we are also happy to provide short articles or newsletter content. To request a program or learn more, contact npvwisconsin [at] lwvwi.org (). The committee meets on the third Thursday of each month at noon via Zoom. We welcome and need your help.
