Former Vice President Kamala Harris said Democrats should revisit reforms to the Electoral College, the Supreme Court, and district statehood [1, 2].
These proposals target the fundamental structure of U.S. governance and voting. If implemented, such changes could shift the balance of power in the presidency and the judiciary for future election cycles.
Speaking during a Democratic Party event in Washington, D.C., Harris said the party needs to reconsider how the U.S. selects its president [1]. She said, "We need to revisit the Electoral College" [1]. While some summaries of the event mention the abolition of the system, Harris' direct remarks focused on the need to revisit the process [1, 2].
Beyond the presidency, Harris addressed the composition of the federal judiciary. She said that expanding the Supreme Court is an idea the party should seriously consider [1]. Such a move would alter the current number of justices on the nation's highest court.
Harris also advocated for granting statehood to Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. [1, 2]. These changes would provide new representation in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, potentially altering the legislative landscape.
According to Harris, these structural shifts are not merely procedural but strategic. She said, "These reforms could give Democrats a better chance in the 2028 presidential election" [1]. The goal of these efforts is to create a more favorable environment for Democratic candidates to win against Republicans in the 2028 cycle [1].
By focusing on the Electoral College and statehood, Harris is highlighting the gap between the national popular vote and the current system of electors. The proposal to expand the Supreme Court reflects a desire to counter-balance the current judicial leanings of the court [1].
“We need to revisit the Electoral College.”
The suggestions by Harris represent a shift toward institutional reform as a primary strategy for Democratic success. By targeting the Electoral College and the Supreme Court, the focus moves from changing voter behavior to changing the rules of the system itself. The emphasis on 2028 indicates a long-term planning phase aimed at mitigating the structural advantages currently held by the Republican Party in the U.S. electoral system.
