Delaware Senate passes national popular vote initiative

DOVER, Del. (AP) - The state Senate has voted to have Delaware join other states that want to pool their Electoral College votes for the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote.

The legislation approved on a 17-4 vote Thursday requires Delaware to cast its three electoral votes for the national popular vote winner, rather than the winner of the popular vote in Delaware. Two Republicans joined majority Democrats in voting for the measure, which now goes to the House.

Eleven Democratic-leaning states and the District of Columbia already have voted to enter the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Democrat-controlled Colorado will soon join the list, giving the compact 181 of the 270 electoral college votes needed to elect the president.