Photo: Getty Images
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York is advocating for a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College. She made this call on Tuesday (December 17) while overseeing New York's allocation of its 28 electoral votes to Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to President-elect Donald Trump last month. Hochul argues that the current system gives disproportionate influence to less populated states, citing that a single elector in Wyoming represents 200,000 residents, while in New York, an elector represents 700,000. She believes the presidency should be decided by the popular vote, ensuring that every vote counts equally.
Hochul's remarks echo longstanding Democratic concerns about the Electoral College, especially following elections where the popular vote winner did not secure the presidency. In 2016, President-elect Trump won the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote. Hochul described this as a "worst-case scenario," where a candidate can become president without winning the popular vote.
According to the New York Post, Hochul's stance is supported by other Democrats, including New York State Senator James Skoufis, who is vying for the Democratic National Committee chairmanship. However, the proposal faces opposition from Republicans who argue that the Electoral College ensures all states have a voice in presidential elections.
The debate over the Electoral College continues as some Democratic senators have introduced legislation to abolish it. Hochul's call for change adds to the growing discussion on how presidential elections should be conducted in the United States.