Let’s say you’re a mega wealthy billionaire who has suddenly realized that if he cozies up close to a presidential candidate, he could have more power and wealth than ever before. What’s stopping you from figuring out who the electorates are and offering them whatever they want if they vote for your guy? What’s stopping them from taking the deal?
We can kinda get rid of it via National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
First democrats need a majority in both houses in congress, as well as packing the court with more liberal judges.
Then have enough states with the required electoral vote threshold join the interstate compact.
Then have congress approve of it.
Then get the supreme court (now with liberal majority) uphold the interstate compact and rule that subsequent congressional sessions cannot revoke it. (Its currently implied that congressional approval of interstate compacts cannot be revoked, but has never been court tested)
Voila, you get popular vote. For as long as states dont start leaving the interstate compact. But at least you dont need 3/4th of state legislatures.
None of the things you mentioned sounds even remotely plausible though. 🥲
Democrats getting both houses of congress is not implausable, assuming we still have elections in the future.
Packing the supreme court isnt hard, just need the democrats to find their spine. And they could just rebrand it as “Balancing The Court” for PR purposes.
Now finding the states that add up to 270 electoral votes to join the i reinstate conpact, that is the biggest hurdle, but the downballot effect should win enough state legislatures if democrats win congress. Right now we’re 77% of the way there. One reason I speculate why they remaing swing states havent joined is becauss they want to wait until theres a friendly congress and supreme court before trying, because there will be legal challenges to it. If congress and supreme court are in control, then I could see swing states quickly joining the interstate compact in rapid succession.
That packing the court bit is a great idea so long as you can make sure your guy wins forever and nobody bad will ever get in and pack the court again in their favor. It’s basically MAD, nobody wants to be the person to open that Pandora’s Box.