In a bold statement during a California fundraising event, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called for an end to the Electoral College.
Speaking at a fundraiser hosted by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Walz argued for a shift to a national popular vote system, Fox News reported.
Walz's proposal reflects a growing sentiment among some Democrats following instances where presidential candidates won the popular vote but lost in the Electoral College.
The event, held at Newsom's private residence in Sacramento, underscored a longstanding debate around the fairness and efficacy of the Electoral College.
Walz, who previously signed Minnesota onto the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact in 2023, believes that this change will reflect the true majority.
This compact will only take effect if states comprising at least 270 electoral votes agree, aiming to ensure the president is elected by majority public support.
The stance taken by Governor Walz has not been without criticism.
The Trump campaign has outspokenly challenged his views, expressing concerns that this move would disproportionately benefit coastal states at the expense of the national interest.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump's campaign national press secretary, commented on the matter:
Dangerously liberal Tim Walz made it crystal clear: the Harris-Walz administration will get rid of the Electoral College, a critical component of our Constitution. Demolishing the Electoral College is every radical leftist’s dream because it will allow the coastal elites to determine our elections silencing the voice of hardworking Americans.
Apart from ideological disputes, practical concerns regarding Walz's advocacy stem from historical precedent.
The Electoral College was originally designed to balance the influence of highly populated states over less populous ones in presidential elections.
Both President George W. Bush, in 2000, and Donald Trump, in 2016, won office through the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote, demonstrating the impact of this system.
Recent polls indicate a shift in public opinion with 63% of Americans advocating for the elimination of the Electoral College.
This majority reflects a growing disillusionment with a system that can negate the majority vote.
Walz’s campaigning for the Harris-Walz Democratic vice-presidential ticket includes his push for this systemic change, which he reiterated during his California visit.
As the debate continues, the future of the U.S. presidential election system hangs in balance.
A shift to a national popular vote not only addresses concerns about democratic representation but also reflects a transformative stance in American politics.
The changing landscape, influenced by both recent electoral outcomes and shifting public sentiments, highlights the urgency and complexity of the issue as America heads further into the election season.
