There is an ongoing debate about the potential elimination of the Electoral College in the United States. Understanding the substantial challenge this poses is essential: amending the Constitution. To successfully amend the Constitution, a proposal must receive approval from two-thirds of both houses of Congress. Subsequently, it requires ratification from three-fourths of the states within the union.

The electoral college process for electing the president of the United States works as follows: First, your vote contributes to a tally that includes all 48 states and Washington, D.C. The candidate who receives the majority of votes in each state is awarded all of that state’s electoral votes, except Maine and Nebraska, which use a proportional system to allocate their electoral votes.

Candidates must secure a minimum of 270 votes to win an election. The projected winner is announced on election night, placing third-party candidates at a significant disadvantage compared to the major parties.

The founding fathers had to reach compromises regarding the method of electing the president, balancing between a congressional vote and a popular vote by qualified citizens. Article II of the Constitution and the ratification of the 12th Amendment, along with the expansion of voting rights and the use of the popular vote to select electors, have significantly changed the election process.

Over the last two centuries, over 700 proposals have been made to reform the Electoral College. A notable example occurred in 1987 when the American Bar Association characterized it as archaic and ambiguous. Public opinion polls have consistently shown significant support for abolishing the Electoral College at various times. In 1967, 58% of Americans favored its abolition, which increased to 81% in 1968. By 1981, 75% of Americans supported eliminating the Electoral College.

Maybe the best way to abolish the Electoral College is to start a grassroots movement at the state level and build on that movement, which would be able to remove it from the Constitution.