Democrats are officially launching their doomed campaign against the Electoral College
![Electoral college voting.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ahvvXVdiqFMKuj6S4dWXS7-415-80.jpg)
Democrats are firmly united on one improbable idea.
A slew of 2020 contenders have jumpstarted another push to abolish the Electoral College, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) denouncing the system in mid-March and other candidates saying they'd consider scrapping it. Now, that idea has spread to the Senate, where Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) is planning to introduce a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College on Tuesday, The Daily Beast first reported via a Schatz spokesperson.
Of course, introducing this proposal as a constitutional amendment — which requires approval from two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of all states — means it's pretty much doomed to fail. Republicans who hold the Senate are almost certain to strike it down, and most Democrats haven't even come out in support of abolishing the system. But as Schatz acknowledged by retweeting NBC News' reporting on his upcoming proposal, an amendment against the Electoral College will just help keep the conversations around it going.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Daily Beast's report adds another 2020 Democrat, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), to the anti-Electoral College mix. Gillibrand, along with Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), are among senators slated to support Schatz's amendment. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) also recently introduced an anti-Electoral College bill loaded with other electoral system changes. His bill and Schatz's proposal won't be merged, but do highlight continued concerns over how President Trump easily won the Electoral College but lost the popular vote in 2016.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Big Tech's answer for AI-driven job loss: universal basic income
In The Spotlight A new study reveals the strengths and limitations
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'I will not be silent' on Gaza, says Kamala Harris
Speed Read In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris supported Israel's right to defend itself while expressing a desire to end Palestinian suffering
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'How long can TikTok dominate as a social network?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hamas says military chief survived Israeli strike
Speed Read An Israeli bombing failed to hit its intended target, military commander Mohammed Deif, but killed at least 90 Palestinians
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
First Israeli report on Oct. 7 finds 'severe mistakes and errors' in IDF response
Speed Reads Israeli military admits failures in response to deadly Hamas attack that triggered Gaza war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden saw neurologist during physicals
Speed Read Following his bad debate performance, many are asking questions about the president's brain
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published