Nevada has rejected an effort to designate the state’s electoral votes to the candidate who wins the popular vote.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, said Thursday he would not approve a measure that passed the Nevada Senate last week to include Nevada in the National Popular Vote interstate compact.
“Once effective, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact could diminish the role of smaller states like Nevada in national electoral contests and force Nevada’s electors to side with whoever wins the nationwide popular vote, rather than the candidate Nevadans choose,” Sisolak said in a statement.
“I recognize that many of my fellow Nevadans may disagree on this point and I appreciate the legislature’s thoughtful consideration of this important issue,” he said.
The District of Columbia and 14 other states have joined the National Popular Vote interstate compact, totaling 189 electoral votes. But in order for the coalition to become valid, it must accrue a total of 270 electoral votes.
Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton secured the popular vote in the 2016 election but received only 232 electoral votes. She was 74 electoral votes behind President Trump. President George W. Bush also won the 2000 presidential election, even though he didn’t win the popular vote.
