Rangel, Boxer Propose Constitutional Amendment Abolishing Electoral College
WASHINGTON, D.C. (CBSNewYork) -- Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) has introduced a bill proposing a constitutional amendment that would abolish the Electoral College.
The move would allow future presidential elections to be decided by the popular vote.
"I came to Congress on the heels of the Civil Rights Movement, and I know how hard we fought for the sacred right to vote," said Rangel in a statement released Thursday. "To protect it, everyone should have access to the vote, and every vote must count. The fact that a candidate can receive more votes than the other but lose the election is fundamentally undemocratic."
According to the release from Congressman Rangel's office, H. J. RES. 103 would, "abolish the Electoral College and to provide for the direct popular election of the President and Vice-president of the United States."
As of Thursday, Hillary Clinton had received at least 62,825,754 votes, and could win the popular vote over President-elect Donald Trump by over 2-million votes, Rangel said.
Trump is set to become the fifth person in U.S. history to lose the popular vote, but win the presidency.
"It is time that we do away the antiquated and obsolete Electoral College system. True democracy should guarantee one person, one vote," Rangel said.
Rangel's bill is a House companion to S.J.Res.41 -- a bill that was introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) earlier this week.
Because the Boxer-Rangel legislation seeks a constitutional amendment it would have to be ratified by three-fourths of the states within seven years of being passed by Congress.
