# How the Democrats’ midterm victory could reshape the rules for electing a US president

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/how-the-democrats-midterm-victory-could-reshape-the-rules-for-electing-a-us-president/
- Published: 2026-11-15T04:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T04:21:41+00:00
- Original publisher: El País (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://english.elpais.com/usa/2026-11-15/how-the-democrats-midterm-victory-could-reshape-the-rules-for-electing-a-us-president.html
- Topics: Americas, Elections, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Five newly Democratic-led states could activate the popular-vote compact.
- The compact needs 270 electoral votes and currently has 222.
- Legal challenges and state withdrawals remain possible.

## Summary

Democrats’ gains in five state governments could bring the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact close to taking effect, changing how participating states allocate presidential electors. The proposal would commit member states to award their electoral votes to the national popular-vote winner, potentially reducing the influence of the Electoral College’s winner-takes-all system.

The compact has been approved by 18 states and Washington, DC, representing 222 electoral votes; it needs 270 to take effect. Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Nevada together hold 61 votes, enough to cross that threshold if they join. The plan could face constitutional challenges, and states can withdraw; supporters and critics also disagree over the Electoral College’s role and effects.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.