WASHINGTON, November 14, 2026 — Following their gains in the midterm elections, Democrats are looking to bypass the Electoral College through the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would award presidential electors based on the nationwide popular vote. This move comes as Democrats won full control in states like Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, potentially paving the way for the compact to reach the necessary 270 electoral votes.
Understanding The Electoral College
The Electoral College is a body of representatives that formally selects a candidate for the office of the president. It is based on the notion that it requires candidates for president to appeal to voters in all states, rather than only those with large populations. However, this system has led to instances where the winner of the popular vote did not win the presidency, with five presidents in U.S. history, including George W. Bush and Donald J. Trump, winning the Electoral College despite losing the national popular vote.
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact aims to ensure that participating states allocate their Electoral College votes to the candidate who wins the nationwide popular vote. Currently, 18 Democratic-run states and the District of Columbia have joined the compact, representing 222 electoral votes. The compact requires participating states to award their Electoral College votes to the nationwide popular vote winner, rather than the state winner, but it only activates when participating states account for at least 270 electoral votes.
Midterm Gains And The Path Forward
With Democrats winning full control in several states, the compact could potentially reach the necessary 270 electoral votes if these states join. According to the New York Times, if Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin were to join the compact, they would represent a total of 283 electoral votes, crossing the threshold needed for the compact to take effect. However, this plan faces potential legal challenges from conservative groups and could land before the conservative-majority Supreme Court.
Public Opinion And The Future Of The Electoral College
A post-midterm Economist/YouGov poll showed that 51 percent of registered voters favored a popular vote system, while 28 percent wanted to keep the current system. This shift in public opinion, combined with the Democratic gains in the midterms, has brought the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact closer to reality. As Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said, “I think that the national popular vote makes sense,” indicating that there is growing support for reforming the Electoral College system. By nightfall, the future of the Electoral College will likely be a major topic of debate in the coming years, with the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact potentially playing a key role in shaping the outcome of future presidential elections, with the next step being the introduction of legislation in the newly controlled state legislatures.
Sources
- Electoral college
- The Future of the Electoral College After the US Midterms – International Centre for Defence and Security
- Democrats Now Have a Path to Sidestep the Electoral College. Would It Work?
- Electoral College changes possible after Dem wins
- Democrats’ plan to scrap the Electoral College is within reach. One of its architects has second thoughts.
- Poll: Most US Voters Want a Popular Vote Model for Picking Future Presidents
Photo: Mathieu Landretti (CC BY-SA 4.0)
