Abolishment of the Electoral College Advocacy

Walz’s position reflects a growing sentiment among some voters and politicians who argue that the current system disproportionately favors smaller, rural states and skews political attention away from larger, more populous areas. During his speech, he emphasized the need for a national popular vote, acknowledging the challenges of the existing electoral framework while also recognizing the necessity of winning key battleground states for electoral success. This duality in his comments has led to some confusion, prompting the Harris campaign to clarify that abolishing the Electoral College is not an official stance of their campaign.

Historical Context

The Electoral College has been used since the founding of the United States to elect presidents, but it has faced criticism for its potential to undermine the principle of one-person, one-vote. Over the past two decades, Democrats have won the popular vote in seven out of eight presidential elections, yet the system has resulted in two notable instances where the popular vote winner—Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Al Gore in 2000—lost the presidency. This has intensified calls for reform, particularly among those who feel that every vote should carry equal weight.

Current Legislative Efforts

In May 2023, Walz signed legislation for Minnesota to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, a strategy aimed at circumventing the Electoral College by ensuring that electoral votes are awarded based on the national popular vote. This compact would only take effect if enough states, collectively holding at least 270 electoral votes, join the agreement. Currently, 17 states and the District of Columbia have signed on, totaling 205 electoral votes, indicating a significant but still incomplete movement toward this reform.

Political Implications

The discussion surrounding the Electoral College is not only a matter of electoral fairness but also has significant political implications. Critics of the current system argue that it narrows the focus of presidential campaigns to a few swing states, while supporters contend that it ensures that all regions of the country receive attention. The discourse around this issue is expected to continue as the 2024 elections approach, with both major parties assessing their strategies in light of public sentiment and electoral realities.