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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Donald Trump’s 2024 victory, while securing 312 electoral votes, fell short of a claimed “massive mandate,” achieving only 49.8% of the popular vote. His Electoral College win was exceptionally narrow, hinging on razor-thin margins in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. A shift of fewer than 115,000 votes across these three states would have given the victory to Kamala Harris. This highlights the highly contested nature of the election and undermines Trump’s claims of widespread support.
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The 2024 US presidential election saw high turnout, yet an estimated 90 million eligible Americans did not vote—a number exceeding the votes for either major candidate. Many non-voters cited the Electoral College as rendering their votes insignificant in their respective states. Other reasons included dissatisfaction with both candidates, a perception that neither represented working-class interests, and policy disagreements, particularly regarding the candidates’ stances on issues like Israel and climate change. Finally, some expressed disillusionment with the two-party system and extreme political polarization.
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Despite falling just short of a popular vote majority at 49.97%, President-elect Trump achieved his highest ever percentage in a presidential election, surpassing his previous totals from 2016 and 2020. This narrow margin underscores the nation’s deep political divisions, with the result representing only a marginal shift to the right. While Trump secured a decisive Electoral College victory, Republican gains in Congress were less substantial than anticipated. Lower than expected turnout in several states, coupled with reduced Democratic support for Harris compared to Biden in 2020, contributed to Trump’s improved popular vote showing.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood