‘There are a number of states opting out of the Electoral College’
huh...? nobody is ‘opting out’ of the EC; certain states have signed onto a compact that directs those states to have their electors vote for the popular vote winner; said compact has no effect until states totalling 270 EV’s have signed on, and that cannot happen without typically red states taking part...
State can not sign compacts per the Constitution. This will be shot down when the time comes.
........ Yes ..... But even if the state flipped red by the voters ..... the electors would be forced to vote against the people by voting blue if the national popular vote was a Democrat.