HARRISBURG, Pa. — A group of Republican and Democratic legislators introduced a bill that would allow the popular vote to determine the presidency, over the Electoral College.
The legislatures introduced the National Popular Vote bill (H.B. 2662) in Harrisburg on Tuesday. The bill would include Pa. in the growing number of states that want to guarantee the presidency to the candidate who wins the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
“As the lead author of the National Popular Vote bill, I think it is imperative to work across party lines and am grateful my Republican colleagues are lending their voice and support to this effort,” said state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila. “Every voter, of every party, should have an equal voice in every presidential election and the National Popular Vote bill is the only plan that credibly delivers on that promise.”
The National Popular Vote bill has been enacted in 17 states and the District of Columbia, totaling 209 electoral votes.
The bill guarantees the presidency to the candidate who wins the most popular votes and takes effect when states with 270 electoral votes have passed the bill.
The legislation has passed Republican- and Democratic-controlled chambers in seven additional states with 74 electoral votes, more than the 61 required for the bill to be in place for the 2028 presidential elections.
“One-person, one-vote is not a Republican or Democrat idea,” said state Rep. Mike Cabell, R-Luzerne. “It is a fundamental principle to the American political system and this bill extends that principle to our presidential elections. A national popular vote for president is fair and just and will restore credibility and stability to the American political system.”
