Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently made headlines after reversing his stance on the elimination of the Electoral College. The governor, who initially called for the elimination of the Electoral College during a fundraiser in California, backpedaled on his statement just two days later.
During an interview with ABC host Michael Strahan, Walz clarified that the campaign’s position is not to eliminate the Electoral College, despite his previous comments. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that every vote counts, regardless of the state in which it is cast.
In 2023, Walz signed the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would allocate all of a state’s electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote for president. This agreement would only take effect if states with at least 270 electoral votes pledged their support.
The Electoral College, which was established by the Founding Fathers, consists of electors from each state who vote for the president and vice president. Most states award all of their electoral votes to the candidate who receives the most votes in that state, while Maine and Nebraska use a proportional system.
Abolishing the Electoral College would require a significant constitutional change, as it was designed to prevent large states from dominating smaller ones in presidential elections. Despite calls for its elimination, the system remains in place.
It is important to note that Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris and the Walz-Harris campaign support the idea that every vote matters in the Electoral College. While Governor Walz’s recent comments may have caused confusion, it is clear that the campaign’s position is to ensure that every vote is valued.
Overall, the debate surrounding the Electoral College continues to be a topic of discussion in the political landscape. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, it will be interesting to see how this issue evolves and whether any changes to the system will be proposed.