A recent poll indicates substantial American support for amending the Constitution to abolish the Electoral College in favor of a popular vote system for presidential elections. This sentiment, which has seen a resurgence after a temporary dip, reflects a desire for a system where the candidate with the most individual votes wins. Notably, even a plurality of Republican-leaning voters now express support for this change, a shift from previous years. Conversely, the same poll reveals overwhelming public opposition to terminating the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms.
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The current system of a capped House of Representatives, frozen at 435 seats since 1929, exacerbates gerrymandering by forcing the creation of sprawling districts that are easily manipulated. A substantial expansion of the House, potentially to over 6,000 seats, would restore a more localized representation, mirroring the nation’s founding ideals and the practice of earlier centuries. This structural reform, rather than partisan maneuvering, offers a path to reducing the power of gerrymandering, making elections more accessible, and fostering greater accountability from representatives to their constituents.
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Former Vice President Kamala Harris has strongly criticized the Supreme Court’s decision allowing states to dismantle Black-majority congressional districts, labeling it a Republican strategy to “cheat” and suppress voters ahead of midterm elections. This ruling, stemming from *Louisiana v. Callais*, requires proof of “intentional discrimination” for voting rights challenges based on race, a significant blow to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. In response, several Republican-led Southern states have already begun redrawing district maps to dilute Black voters’ political power, prompting Harris to suggest reforms such as expanding the Supreme Court and revisiting the Electoral College. However, Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have denounced these criticisms as dangerous and an attempt to “blow up the system” out of political defeat.
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The Supreme Court’s recent ruling against proportional representation in congressional redistricting, exemplified by the Louisiana case, undermines the Voting Rights Act and is likely to reduce Black representation in the House. This decision, framed by the Court as partisan gerrymandering rather than racial discrimination, echoes broader concerns about the Electoral College’s ability to override popular will and the difficulty of enacting meaningful democratic reforms in the face of a conservative Court intent on weakening minority representation. These trends contribute to a government with a tendency toward inequality and authoritarianism, particularly impacting the political advancement of marginalized communities.
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Democrats have raised concerns about Husted’s acceptance of significant campaign contributions from an associate of Jeffrey Epstein, prompting a commitment to donate the funds. Meanwhile, Brown faces scrutiny due to his long political career dating back to 1974, his alignment with progressive figures like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and past attacks on his support for transgender rights and an perceived “elitist globalist” image despite his anti-NAFTA stance. Both candidates, therefore, contend with distinct criticisms that could influence voter perceptions.
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Virginia’s governor has signed a national popular vote bill, bringing the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact closer to activation. This compact will award presidential electors to the candidate who wins the national popular vote, once states with a combined majority of 270 electoral votes join. Supporters argue this aligns with constitutional provisions allowing states to direct their electors and that such an agreement does not require congressional approval. With 63% of Americans favoring a national popular vote, this development signifies a substantial step towards potentially electing the president based on nationwide vote totals.
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Virginia has joined a growing national effort to ensure presidential election winners are determined by the national popular vote, rather than the Electoral College. Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a bill enacting the National Popular Vote Compact, an agreement that commits participating states to award their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the overall popular vote nationwide. This brings the total to 18 states and the District of Columbia, representing 222 electoral votes, though the compact only takes effect once it reaches the 270 electoral votes required to win the presidency. Supporters argue this change will make every vote relevant and protect American democracy, while potential legal challenges loom if the compact achieves its goal.
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**Abolish the Senate. End the Electoral College. Pack the Court.**
It’s time to have a serious look at how we govern ourselves. The call to abolish the Senate isn’t a radical one if we truly believe in democratic ideals. The Senate, as it currently functions, is an outdated vestige designed to appease the South, and its structure fundamentally undermines the principle of one person, one vote. If we’re aiming for a true democracy, a legislative body that gives equal weight to every citizen is non-negotiable. Now, that doesn’t mean it’s a simple process. Any such change necessitates a constitutional overhaul, but in contemplating this path, we might also consider other crucial reforms.… Continue reading
Newsmax host Rob Finnerty lauded Donald Trump’s swift implementation of numerous executive orders upon his return to the White House, characterizing him as a “dictator” elected by the American people. These orders included efforts to overturn birthright citizenship, deny transgender rights, expand the death penalty, and pardon January 6th rioters. Finnerty celebrated this “shock and awe” approach, suggesting it overwhelmed the mainstream media’s ability to provide thorough coverage. He attributed the public’s support to their having “asked for and voted for” these actions.
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President Trump rescinded President Biden’s executive order that ensured the inclusion of all residents, regardless of immigration status, in the census count used for apportionment of House seats and Electoral College votes. This reversal reinstates the Trump administration’s attempt to exclude undocumented residents, a move previously blocked by the Supreme Court. The decision potentially paves the way for the creation of gerrymandered districts advantageous to Republicans, building on prior efforts to collect citizenship data at the neighborhood level. The implications of this action on the 2030 census remain to be seen, with ongoing debate surrounding the inclusion of non-citizens in apportionment counts.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood