Summary of HB 57: Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote

Bill Number: HB 57

Introduced: September 29, 2025

Current Status: Now in Government Operations Subcommittee

Sponsors: Gottlieb (primary), Eskamani, Campbell, Bartleman, Tendrich, Skidmore, Harris (cosponsors)

Purpose and Intent

HB 57 aims to establish an agreement among states to elect the President and Vice President of the United States through a national popular vote. This bill seeks to ensure that the candidate receiving the most votes nationwide is elected, rather than relying on the Electoral College system currently in place.

Key Provisions

1. Membership and Enactment:

   • Any state or the District of Columbia can join the agreement by enacting it into law.

2. Statewide Popular Elections:

   • Each member state is required to conduct a statewide popular election for President and Vice President.

3. Appointment of Presidential Electors:

   • The chief election official in each member state will determine the national popular vote total for each presidential slate and designate the slate with the highest total as the "national popular vote winner."
   • Electors will be appointed based on the national popular vote winner, with specific procedures outlined for handling ties and discrepancies in elector numbers.

4. Communication and Notification:

   • Member states must notify each other of the enactment and effectiveness of the agreement, as well as any withdrawals from the agreement.

5. Withdrawal Provisions:

   • A member state can withdraw from the agreement, but such withdrawal will not take effect within six months of a President's term ending.

6. Termination Clause:

   • The agreement will terminate if the Electoral College is abolished.

7. Definitions:

   • The bill includes definitions for key terms such as "chief election official," "presidential elector," and "statewide popular election."

Impact

• Affected Parties:

  • The legislation would primarily affect voters in member states, as it changes how their votes contribute to the presidential election outcome.
  • State election officials will also be impacted, as they will need to adapt to new procedures for counting and certifying votes.

• Potential Outcomes:

  • If enacted, this bill could lead to a significant shift in how presidential elections are conducted in the United States, promoting a more direct democratic process.
  • The agreement will only take effect once states collectively holding a majority of electoral votes (at least 270) have enacted it.

Procedural Aspects

• Timeline:
  • The bill was filed on September 29, 2025, and has since been referred to several subcommittees, including the Government Operations Subcommittee, where it is currently under consideration.

This summary provides an overview of HB 57, highlighting its main objectives, key provisions, and the potential impact on the electoral process in the United States.