Democrats Seek to Bypass Electoral College via State Victories
The Democratic Party is leveraging new state government trifectas to implement the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact and replace the Electoral College by 2028.
Following the November 2026 midterm elections, the Democratic Party secured unified control—governorships and both legislative chambers—in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These victories provide a legislative path to activate the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, an agreement where member states award their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote regardless of the state-level result.
Currently, 18 states and Washington, D.C. have joined the compact, totaling 222 electoral votes. If the five newly flipped states join, the total would reach 283, surpassing the 270-vote threshold required to trigger the system for the 2028 presidential election. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Wisconsin Governor-elect David Crowley have expressed support for the move, while Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Nevada Governor-elect Aaron Ford have remained noncommittal.
Opponents, including the Republican Party and conservative groups like the America First Policy Institute and Save Our States, argue the compact is an unconstitutional end-run around the Article V amendment process. Critics warn the shift would marginalize rural voters and trigger a constitutional crisis. Supporters, including U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, maintain the current system is an anachronism that fails to reflect the principle of one person, one vote.
Legal experts suggest the effort will face significant challenges in the Supreme Court, specifically regarding the Constitution's Compact Clause and whether such an agreement requires congressional approval.
