An Attempt to Upend the Electoral College, Explained

Can states frustrated with the Electoral College circumvent it, even without a constitutional amendment?

Lawmakers in 16 states and the District of Columbia think so: Their legislative bodies have passed measures pledging their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote, regardless of how the candidate actually fared in those particular states.

But the effort’s critics—and even some supporters—say that the compact creates a host of constitutional concerns.

How does it work?