A group of Senate Democrats, including Sens. Dick Durbin, Brian Schatz, and Peter Welch, have introduced a proposed constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College system in presidential elections. The amendment aims to replace it with a system where the candidate who wins the popular vote would secure the presidency.
Sen. Durbin emphasized the need to retire the Electoral College, which he described as an outdated system that disenfranchises millions of Americans. He highlighted the importance of empowering voters to choose their leaders without any hindrances.
Sen. Schatz echoed similar sentiments, stating that the person who receives the most votes should be declared the winner, emphasizing the simplicity and fairness of such an approach. He criticized the Electoral College as an undemocratic and outdated mechanism that distorts the representation of voters.
Sen. Welch also criticized the Electoral College, pointing out that the current system leads to elections that are not as representative as they should be. The proposed amendment seeks to address these concerns and ensure a more equitable electoral process.
However, the proposal faced criticism from GOP Sen. Mike Lee, who labeled it as a 'phenomenally bad idea.' Other Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Andy Biggs, accused the Senate Democrats of attempting to undermine the Constitution with their proposal.
The debate over the Electoral College system gained renewed attention following the 2024 presidential election, where President-elect Donald Trump secured victory through both the Electoral College and the popular vote. The historical context of past elections, such as Trump's 2016 win despite losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton, underscores the ongoing controversy surrounding the Electoral College.
