Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is running as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate alongside Kamala Harris, has reignited the debate over the Electoral College. During a fundraising event at California Governor Gavin Newsom's Sacramento residence, Walz strongly advocated for replacing the Electoral College with a national popular vote system. This statement came during a fundraiser aimed at boosting support for the Harris-Walz ticket, but also underscores the ongoing frustration among Democrats regarding the 2016 election, when Hillary Clinton won the popular vote but lost the presidency.
“We all know the Electoral College needs to go,” Walz said to a crowd of donors. His remarks struck a chord with many Democrats who fear a similar scenario in the upcoming 2024 election. Walz, a long-time critic of the Electoral College, made similar comments at earlier fundraisers in New York and Seattle, stressing the need for every vote to count equally in the presidential race.
Tim Walz is defending providing Drivers Licenses to illegal immigrants.
Minnesota had the single largest increase in car insurance premiums of all states in 2024. pic.twitter.com/djxcCYKxZ1
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) October 6, 2024
The event, held on Tuesday, October 8, was part of Walz’s broader efforts to raise funds and secure support in key battleground states. Newsom and Walz discussed how the current electoral system can skew the results, pushing Democrats to focus heavily on specific swing states while ignoring other regions. Although Walz pushed for electoral reform, he admitted that the idea of eliminating the Electoral College remains a difficult battle in the current political climate.
Walz’s advocacy aligns with the Harris-Walz campaign’s broader strategy, which aims to secure 270 Electoral College votes in the 2024 election. Campaign officials clarified that while the push to abolish the Electoral College isn't an official campaign position, Walz’s comments reflect his personal stance and the desire for a system that represents the popular vote.
I don't buy these CNN poll results.
There is no way 49% of viewers believed Tim Walz won that debate. pic.twitter.com/VwvVRqYpDz
— Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) October 2, 2024
However, the proposal is unlikely to gain traction in the near term, as dismantling the Electoral College would require a constitutional amendment or congressional approval—neither of which seems feasible in the current political landscape. Nonetheless, Walz’s comments energize the Democratic base, who remain frustrated over previous elections where the popular vote winner did not secure the presidency.
Republicans have sharply criticized Walz’s stance, framing it as another example of radical liberalism. Conservative commentators argue that the Electoral College serves an essential role in balancing the interests of smaller states with more populous ones. They assert that eliminating the system would shift political power disproportionately to large urban centers, leaving rural voters without a voice in presidential elections.
This latest fundraising push by Walz and Newsom has drawn attention from both sides of the aisle. Critics on the right argue that spending time in California fundraising with Newsom distances the Harris-Walz campaign from mainstream voters, furthering the perception of coastal elitism. Meanwhile, Democrats see this as a necessary step to build financial momentum heading into the final weeks of the campaign.
Walz, who signed legislation in 2023 that would elevate the national popular vote in Minnesota, has long pushed for this change. Although more states have joined the effort to reform the system, such changes require federal approval, making it unlikely in the short term. As the 2024 race heats up, the debate over the Electoral College remains as contentious as ever, with Walz’s comments adding fuel to the fire.
