Trump’s 2024 Victory Sparks Renewed Debate Over the Electoral College

The Electoral College was established by the Founding Fathers as part of the U.S. Constitution, with the goal of balancing the election of the President between a popular vote and a Congressional vote. Although many were unfamiliar with the Electoral College’s implications, the recent 2024 election has brought discussions about the pivotal process to the forefront.

History of the Electoral College

Established in the United States Constitution, the Electoral College was a compromise, ensuring states with smaller populations had a voice in the selection of the president, while also allowing for the will of the people to be represented. The term "Electoral College" does not appear in the Constitution, but it refers to a group of electors chosen to vote for the president.

Over time, the system has been altered by amendments and changes in state laws. For example, the 12th Amendment refined the process for electing the president and vice president, while the 23rd Amendment granted the District of Columbia electors. The method of choosing electors varies by state, but they typically are selected by political parties and reflect the popular vote in that state.

The Electoral College consists of 538 electors, with 270 votes needed to win the presidency. Each state has as many electors as it has members in Congress (House of Representatives and Senate combined). In most states, the candidate who wins the popular vote receives all of the state's electoral votes.

The Electoral College has been subject to over 700 proposals for reform, with many arguing for its abolition, especially after contentious elections such as those in 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000, and 2016, where the winner of the popular vote, Hillary Clinton, lost the presidency to Donald Trump. Despite criticism, the Electoral College persists due to the difficulty of amending the Constitution, which requires a two-thirds majority in Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states.

Results of the 2024 Election

The 2024 U.S. Presidential election resulted in a historic victory for former president Donald Trump, marking his second term in office despite ongoing legal challenges. Trump clinched a decisive win, garnering a total of 312 electoral votes, and impressively clinched all seven swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. His victory came much sooner than analysts anticipated, as many expected a prolonged vote count and contested results. In the end, Trump’s victory was a decisive and swift win.

The election’s outcome revealed a significant shift in the American political landscape. Trump’s performance among Latino voters was particularly striking, with his strong showing in Florida, where he won Miami-Dade County by nearly 12 points. He also made substantial inroads among Latino voters in other parts of the country, including areas with large Puerto Rican populations, such as Orlando. Trump’s appeal to Latino men grew dramatically, with a 35-point swing from 2020, highlighting a deepening realignment of Latino voters toward the Republican Party.

Additionally, Trump made notable gains in urban areas, where he improved his standing in traditionally Democratic strongholds like Detroit, New York City, and Philadelphia. His outreach to Black voters and other urban demographics helped reduce the Democratic margin in these key cities. While Harris did improve her numbers slightly among college-educated women, the overall trends pointed to a flatline in suburban support for the Democrats.

The Political Landscape Post-Election

In terms of party dynamics, the 2024 election reinforced the deep polarization in American politics. Exit polls revealed that Independents now make up a larger share of the electorate, signaling growing dissatisfaction with the two-party system. Although there were hopes that moderate Republicans might shift toward the Democratic side, these voters were not large enough to affect the overall outcome.

Trump’s victory is also notable for its implications for future U.S. political discourse. The 2024 election led to concern about the national Democratic coalition fracturing, with suburban districts tightening, Latino support shifting, and urban voters becoming increasingly disillusioned with the party. The Republican Party’s growing appeal among these groups signals a long-term shift in the political landscape, with profound consequences for future elections.

The Electoral College Debate

The Electoral College has been the subject of debate for centuries. Alison LaCroix, a constitutional law expert, notes that despite the widespread dissatisfaction with the system, it remains a persistent feature of American democracy. She states, “From the perspective of 2024, you know, it doesn't seem ‘small-d’ democratic to have this sort of intermediate body between the people voting and the ultimate decision.” In fact, more than 60 percent of Americans support its abolition.

However, the electoral college continues to exist because of the complex political dynamics surrounding its reform. Supporters of the system argue that it ensures a balance of power between large and small states and prevents the potential rise of demagogues. Critics, on the other hand, contend that it is undemocratic, overly indirect, and perpetuates inequality—particularly because of the "winner-take-all" approach used by most states.

Despite its widespread unpopularity, efforts to overhaul or abolish the Electoral College face significant challenges due to partisan interests and historical inertia. However, understanding how the system works—and why it continues to persist—remains an important aspect of our democratic discourse.