Minnesota adopts national popular vote for electoral votes

In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz recently expressed his belief that the Electoral College should be abolished in favor of electing presidents based on the national popular vote. His comments were made during a fundraiser in Sacramento and sparked a debate about the fairness of the current electoral system. While Walz's remarks do not officially represent his campaign's stance, they highlight a growing sentiment among many Americans. A Pew Research Center survey indicates that over 63% of the population favors moving away from the Electoral College. Minnesota has already taken steps towards this shift by signing the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which allocates electoral votes based on the national popular vote rather than state-by-state results. This compact includes 17 states and Washington D.C., totaling 209 electoral votes, with the goal of reaching the necessary 270 to influence presidential elections. Supporters of the compact, like Rep. Mike Freiberg, argue that the Electoral College is undemocratic and disproportionately favors smaller states, leading to a focus on a few swing states during elections. Conversely, some Republicans, including Rep. Duane Quam, advocate for maintaining the current system, asserting that Minnesota's electors should reflect only the state's voters. The ongoing debate reflects a significant divide in opinions on how best to conduct presidential elections in the U.S., with many advocating for a more direct democratic approach to ensure that every vote carries equal weight.