Isn't the answer here to just take the densest states by population and count up EVs until you reach 270?
not exactly, since the smaller states by population have an advantage as a result of having 2 senators included along with the number of their congressional districts in the EV count. plus, if you just go from least to greatest you will have some extras over 270 that may need to be switched out. (for example in this map, where I would have included ME-1 had it not been insufficient and unnecessary to get to 270)
I think this is it:
270-268
and lol at the bump.