Five Times the Electoral College Chose a President Who Lost the Popular Vote
Did you know there have been five U.S. presidential elections where the winner didn’t receive the most votes? The Electoral College elected presidents who lost the popular vote, including John Quincy Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes, Benjamin Harrison, and more recently, George W. Bush and Donald Trump.
While the early elections involving Adams, Hayes, and Harrison took place in a political landscape very different from today, the modern instances — Bush in 2000 and Trump in 2016 — have fueled debate. Both times, the Electoral College awarded the presidency to Republican candidates despite their opponents winning the popular vote, which has led to a perception that the system favors Republicans.
For many Americans, these instances have eroded confidence in the Electoral College. In fact, calls to abolish it have grown, with some leaders suggesting that the presidency should go to the winner of the national popular vote. Recently, Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz voiced support for this change, though the campaign later clarified it isn’t an official platform position. "I think all of us know, the Electoral College needs to go," Walz said, adding, "We need a national popular vote."
A recent Pew Research poll reflects this sentiment: about 64% of Americans now say they would prefer the president be chosen based on the national popular vote. Meanwhile, 35% still support keeping the Electoral College.
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