Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday publicly endorsed proposals to abolish the Electoral College and expand the U.S. Supreme Court to 13 justices, marking a shift from her 2024 campaign positions. She also suggested revisiting statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., during a speech at the National Urban League Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
Harris, who lost both the Electoral College and the popular vote in the 2024 election, framed the proposals as necessary for modernizing U.S. institutions. "We need to revisit the Electoral College," she said. "We need to revisit the point of expanding the court to 13 justices like we have 13 district courts." She added that statehood for Puerto Rico and D.C. should be reconsidered if residents support it.
The Vice President emphasized that she has not yet decided whether to run for president in 2028. "I have not made a decision," Harris told attendees. "I am fully, sincerely, focused on these midterms." Her remarks come as Democratic strategists have increasingly speculated about her potential candidacy.
Policy Proposals in Detail
Harris’ endorsement of these proposals represents a departure from her 2024 platform. During her presidential campaign, she supported term limits for Supreme Court justices but did not advocate for expanding the court. The Electoral College was a central issue in her 2024 loss, as she failed to secure a majority of electoral votes despite winning the popular vote.
The proposed expansion of the Supreme Court would increase the number of justices from nine to 13, aligning with the number of federal judicial circuits. Harris argued this change would address concerns about the court’s ideological balance. She also suggested that Puerto Rico and D.C. should have the opportunity to pursue statehood if residents choose to do so.
Political Context and Reactions
Harris’ comments were delivered at the National Urban League Annual Conference, an event attended by civil rights leaders and Democratic officials. The proposals have drawn both support and criticism within political circles. Some advocates argue that abolishing the Electoral College would make presidential elections more representative of the national popular vote, while opponents contend it would undermine the federalist structure of the U.S. political system.
Similarly, the idea of expanding the Supreme Court has been a contentious issue, with supporters arguing it could restore balance to a court perceived as ideologically skewed, and opponents warning it could politicize the judiciary further. Harris’ remarks did not include a timeline for implementing these changes, nor did she provide details on how they would be achieved.
Background on Harris’ 2024 Election Loss
Harris lost the 2024 presidential election to former President Donald Trump, failing to secure a majority in the Electoral College despite winning the popular vote. This outcome renewed debates about the fairness and functionality of the Electoral College system. Harris’ shift in stance on these issues reflects broader discussions within the Democratic Party about electoral reform and judicial restructuring.