The Senate State and Local Government Committee voted unanimously to support a concurrent resolution denouncing the national popular-vote interstate compact and urging other states to form an opposing compact.

Senator Jonathan Sickler (District 17), the resolution sponsor, told the committee that the interstate compact would require member states to direct their presidential electors to the national popular vote winner once compact states represent 270 electoral votes. "If the nation voted for candidate X and North Dakota voted for candidate Y, North Dakota, if it had joined the national popular-vote compact, would have to vote against how the state voters voted and vote for the national popular-vote winner," Sickler said.

Sickler argued the Electoral College protects smaller and rural states by ensuring national campaigns must reach a broad geographic cross-section of the country. Several committee members agreed. Senator Castaneda said the Electoral College gives North Dakota influence beyond its population size. Senator Wallen and others framed the issue as protecting states’ rights and called the resolution a statement in support of North Dakota's representation.

The committee recorded a do-pass motion on the resolution after a motion to "support" from Senator Lee, seconded by Senator Barta. The vote was unanimous; Senator Barta volunteered as the committee’s carrier on the resolution.

Ending: The resolution now proceeds with a committee carrier to the floor; sponsors said the measure is intended as a legislative statement urging other states to oppose the national popular-vote compact rather than as binding federal policy.