Governor Walz Pushes Landmark Voting Reform: Abolishing the Electoral College

Two people celebrate on stage with supporters behind.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sparked debate by advocating for the abolition of the Electoral College, favoring a shift to a national popular vote for presidential elections.

At a Glance

  • Gov. Walz supports replacing the Electoral College with a national popular vote system.
  • This position reflects a long-standing Democratic viewpoint, strengthened since the 2016 election.
  • Eliminating the Electoral College requires a constitutional amendment or enough states joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
  • Walz’s view represents ongoing discussions about electoral fairness in the U.S.

Walz’s Campaign to Abolish Electoral College

Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota recently voiced his opinion in favor of abolishing the Electoral College, aligning with other Democrats seeking alternative voting systems. During a California campaign fundraiser, he discussed the benefits of a national popular vote, implying a fairer distribution of voting significance across states.

Addressing a known Democratic stance, Walz noted the public demand for broader electoral reform, a sentiment heightened after the 2016 election where Hillary Clinton secured the popular vote but lost the presidency. Abolishing the Electoral College would necessitate a constitutional amendment, a proposal requiring bipartisan cooperation, or states adhering to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.

Challenges to Achieving Electoral Reform

Amending the Constitution to remove the Electoral College is challenging in the current political climate. Governor Walz acknowledged the difficulty of such reform, despite his efforts to prioritize a system that reflects the national vote. During his California stop, he highlighted the potential scenario of Vice President Kamala Harris winning the popular vote but losing the presidency under the current system.

“I think all of us know the Electoral College needs to go,” Walz said at a campaign fundraiser with California Gov. Gavin Newsom Tuesday afternoon, according to pool reporters in the room. “We need a national popular vote that is something. But that’s not the world we live in.”

Critics argue eliminating the Electoral College could grant larger states excessive influence, a concern Republicans frequently voice. These objections underscore the complex balancing act inherent in changing electoral traditions that have shaped U.S. presidential elections for centuries.

The Road Ahead for Electoral Change

Despite these challenges, Governor Walz remains focused on advocating for a more representative system, signing the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact in 2023. This compact, which allocates electoral votes to the national popular vote winner, depends on enough states joining to meet the required 270 votes needed to change the current dynamic. This strategy exemplifies the ongoing initiative for electoral fairness.

“There’s no question that the popular vote has been diminished in terms of making the final decision about who’s the president of the United States and we need to deal with that, so I’m open to the discussion,” Harris said at the time.

Governor Walz’s call to action reflects a growing sentiment among voters and experts advocating change amid a complex and evolving political landscape. With many Americans supporting a national popular vote, the potential remains for significant reform in how presidential elections are decided.

Sources

1. Walz says the Electoral College ‘needs to go’

2. Tim Walz calls for elimination of Electoral College at California fundraiser, says ‘it needs to go’

3. Walz Says the Electoral College ‘Needs to Go’