If you’re outraged by the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent rulings on abortion, gun safety, and more – you’re not alone.
The frustrating truth is: this Court is making drastic decisions that’ll impact millions of us even though FIVE of the nine justices were appointed by a president who lost the popular vote.
This is the broken Electoral College in action – and it should set off alarm bells for everyone who cares about democracy.
The justices of the Supreme Court are among the nine most influential people in this country. But right now, a majority of them were appointed by either George W. Bush or Donald Trump – who, in 2000 and 2016 respectively, failed to get more votes from the American people than their opponent.
That’s right: the Court’s dramatic shift to the far right is partially due to the current Electoral College system – an antiquated and unjust way of electing the president that gives some voters more of a voice than others.
We can guarantee this won’t happen again by enacting the National Popular Vote Compact. If enough states agree to give their electors to the winner of the national popular vote in presidential races, rather than the state’s own popular vote – we can fix the problems of the Electoral College without needing to amend the Constitution.
The National Popular Vote Compact won’t take effect until enough states have joined in – but we’re closer than you might think! Fifteen states and D.C. have already signed on, totaling 195 of the 270 Electoral College votes needed.
We can’t keep letting presidents who lost their election appoint Supreme Court justices – who make major decisions about our lives, our rights, and even our bodies.
I hope you’ll join me in speaking out. And I hope you are finding time to take care of yourself in these immensely troubling times.
With thanks for all you do,
Devon Nir, Digital Strategies Manager
and the team at Common Cause
