Nevada governor-elect floats joining popular vote compact because Electoral College has ‘racist underpinnings’

Nevada Gov.-elect Aaron Ford said he supports abolishing the Electoral College, arguing the institution has racist origins and has repeatedly allowed presidential candidates to win without the national popular vote.Ford, a Democrat who defeated Gov. Joe Lombardo (R-NV) in the Nov. 3 election, said he initially had reservations about the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, an agreement in which states would put their electoral vote toward whichever candidate wins the popular vote, but changed his position after researching the proposal. Recommended Stories “Frankly, because I had not [done] enough research on it, but I have researched it, and looking at the Electoral College, understanding the frankly racist underpinnings of it in the first place leads me to believe that we need to get rid of it,” Ford told local outlet KOLO 8. “Not only for that reason, but because we’ve, you know, several times now seen the person who has won the popular vote not win because of the Electoral College.” Ford’s comments could carry added significance as Democrats look to expand the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact following their midterm election gains in several key states.The agreement is designed to ensure the winner of the national popular vote becomes president without requiring a constitutional amendment. Participating states pledge to award all of their Electoral College votes to the national popular vote winner, regardless of which candidate carries their individual state.The compact would take effect once states representing at least 270 electoral votes have signed on, giving its members enough votes to determine the presidency. So far, 18 states and Washington, D.C., have joined, accounting for 222 electoral votes.Democratic gains in Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin could put another 50 electoral votes within reach if those states enact legislation joining the agreement. Together, the four states would push the compact to 272 electoral votes, enough to trigger its provisions. Arizona, where Democrats also secured unified control of state government, represents another potential avenue for expansion.Nevada has six electoral votes, while Michigan has 15, Pennsylvania has 19, and Wisconsin has 10.Democrats eye opportunity to ditch Electoral College ahead of 2028Ford’s election gives Democrats another opportunity to advance the proposal in a state where they will control the governorship. The compact would still require legislative approval before Nevada could join.The proposal faces significant legal and political obstacles. Critics argue that allowing states to bind their presidential electors to the national popular vote winner would effectively circumvent the Constitution’s Electoral College framework and its amendment process.