Have you heard of the National Popular Vote Compact? It calls for votes in the Electoral College from participating states to pledge their electors to the popular vote winner rather than to their state’s winner. As of today, 22 states have signed on, including California and its 54 electoral votes.
At least for now, presidential elections are still decided by the Electoral College as the founders intended back in 1787 when the Constitution was drafted. Their argument was and is a pragmatic one: Without the Electoral College, small states and their needs would be completely ignored. Large cities and their needs would be the focus of every candidate instead. Never again would a presidential candidate talk with farmers in Iowa or South Carolina, opting for rallies in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, among other large cities. Rural voters in general would be forgotten.
