LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Democrats won big on Election Day, and now they may be preparing to change the rules for how America elects its next president.
With Democrats gaining control of Michigan’s governor’s office and both chambers of the state Legislature, the Great Lakes State could play a pivotal role in a national effort to effectively sideline the Electoral College before the 2028 presidential election. And they wouldn’t even need to amend the U.S. Constitution to try it.
Goodbye Electoral College, Hello Popular Vote?
The effort centers on the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, an agreement among states to award their electoral votes to whichever presidential candidate wins the most votes nationwide, regardless of who wins their individual state. The compact would not legally abolish the Electoral College. It would change how participating states award their electoral votes, making the national popular vote decisive if the compact survives legal challenges.
Four Blue States Could Deliver the Final Blow to the Electoral College as it Currently Stands
Currently, 18 states and Washington, D.C., representing 222 electoral votes, have joined the agreement. It needs 270 to take effect.
Michigan brings 15 electoral votes to the table. Add Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Nevada, and the four states could push the compact to 272 votes, enough to activate it.
And with all four states having Democratic governors and Democratic majorities in both legislative chambers beginning in 2027, they could fundamentally change presidential elections through state legislation rather than a constitutional amendment.
Benson and Democrats Hold the Keys
Governor-elect Jocelyn Benson and Michigan’s incoming Democratic legislative majorities could help determine whether the proposal moves forward.
Michigan Democrats previously had unified control of state government in 2023 and 2024 but failed to pass the compact. Now, with another opportunity, supporters are preparing to try again.
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State Rep. Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor) told The New York Times, as reported by Yahoo News, that the timing is favorable. “The time is right,” Rheingans said, adding, “This blue tsunami is really going to help push this forward across the whole nation.”
The decision would rest with Michigan lawmakers passing legislation and Benson signing it, not with Benson acting alone. However, with Democrats set to control both the state House and Senate beginning in January 2027, there would be little standing in their way politically if they decide to push the legislation through.
No Comment From Benson Yet
Governor-elect Jocelyn Benson has yet to publicly commit to the proposal. Although she has championed voting rights and election reforms, including getting the Michigan Voting Rights Act passed as soon as possible, she has not publicly identified joining the compact as a priority for her incoming administration.
Michigan will most certainly join NPV since their board donated heavily to Benson’s campaign.
We will no longer have a voice in national elections – just another consequence of this past week.
— Anna Hoffman (@shoesonplease) November 9, 2026
Not So Fast, Democrats
Supporters argue that every American’s presidential vote should count equally, regardless of where they live. Critics counter that the compact could diminish the influence of smaller states and undermine the constitutional system.
Hans von Spakovsky, an election law expert with Advancing American Freedom, told Fox News that the proposal could face a constitutional showdown.
“They can’t use a compact to, in essence, change the Electoral College,” he said, adding, “I think the Supreme Court would say you can’t do that.”
Questions also remain about whether congressional approval would be required, potentially sending the fight to the U.S. Supreme Court.
For now, the Electoral College isn’t going anywhere. But Michigan Democrats could soon help decide whether the national popular vote, rather than individual state victories, determines who occupies the White House in 2028.
