Pennsylvania voters deserve a presidential election system where every vote counts equally. Right now, we do not have one.
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact would guarantee that the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide becomes president. That should already be the standard in a democracy, yet twice in the last 25 years the Electoral College awarded the presidency to the candidate who lost the popular vote.
The current system forces campaigns to focus almost entirely on a few swing states while millions of voters elsewhere are ignored. A national popular vote would make every vote matter equally, no matter where it is cast.
The compact also is close to taking effect. Eighteen states and Washington, D.C. have already joined, totaling 222 electoral votes. Only 48 more are needed.
At the same time, Donald Trump continues spreading false claims about election fraud and undermining trust in democratic institutions. Protecting faith in elections means ensuring that the candidate chosen by the most Americans actually wins.
Pennsylvania lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro should support the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact now. Voters should contact their representatives and demand action to strengthen democracy before the next presidential election.
Chelsea Crisman
East Vandergrift