When we think about voting in the United States, many of us believe our voices matter equally, that the system represents democracy at its finest. But beneath the surface lies a complex web of structures designed to maintain racial inequality—systems that are still actively at work today. One of the most prominent of these systems is the Electoral College, which, as we’ll explore, is deeply rooted in white supremacy.

The Origins: Built to Protect Slavery

To understand the role of the Electoral College in upholding white supremacy, we have to go back to its origins. When the U.S. Constitution was being drafted, the Southern states—heavily dependent on the institution of slavery—wanted to ensure they could maintain power in the new government. They were worried that Northern states, where slavery was less entrenched, would dominate the political landscape. Thus, the infamous “Three-Fifths Compromise” was born. This policy counted enslaved Black people as three-fifths of a person, inflating the population numbers in Southern states, giving them more representation in Congress and more power in the Electoral College.

This was power built on the backs of Black people who had no voice, no vote, and no freedom. It was a system that empowered white slaveholders and locked out the very people whose labor fueled the economy.

How the Electoral College Upholds White Supremacy Today

Fast forward to today, and we see that the Electoral College still plays a role in marginalizing Black and brown communities. It’s no longer about slavery, but about preserving power for those who historically held it: wealthy, white elites. Here’s how:

• Prison Populations: In many states, incarcerated people—disproportionately Black and brown—are counted in the census where the prison is located, inflating the political power of those (often rural and white) areas. Yet, those incarcerated individuals can’t vote, giving more representation to people who don’t share their interests or struggles.

• Felony Disenfranchisement: Many states strip people with felony convictions of their voting rights, even after they’ve served their time. Since Black and Latino people are disproportionately targeted by the criminal justice system, this leads to the disenfranchisement of millions of Black voters. It’s no coincidence that these laws continue to silence those most affected by systemic racism.

• Gerrymandering and Voter Suppression: States still manipulate voting districts and implement voter ID laws that disproportionately affect people of color. By strategically cutting polling locations and restricting early voting, many Black and brown communities are left with fewer opportunities to vote. This isn’t just about inconvenience—it’s about intentionally cutting out political voices that threaten the status quo.

The Bigger Picture: A Web of Oppression

The Electoral College doesn’t exist in isolation. It is part of a larger system of control that has always worked to suppress Black political power:

• Economic Inequality: Generational wealth, largely denied to Black communities through practices like redlining and economic exclusion, means that Black and brown communities have less financial power to influence politics. Campaigns and political influence are driven by money, and those without it are left behind.

• Miseducation and Erasure: From the lack of comprehensive civic education in many Black and brown communities to the intentional erasure of Black history from schools, there is a concerted effort to keep us uninformed about how the system is rigged against us. Without knowledge of the past, we can’t fully understand the depth of systemic oppression we face today.

• Environmental Racism and Health Inequities: The health and environmental issues that disproportionately affect Black communities—like pollution, poor healthcare access, and higher rates of chronic disease—are part of a broader system that makes it harder for marginalized groups to participate fully in civic life. If we are struggling just to survive, we can’t fight for political power.

Time for Change: A Call to Action

Understanding the roots of the Electoral College and how it intersects with white supremacy allows us to see the bigger picture: this system was never designed to represent all of us equally. It was built to maintain the power of a few while silencing the voices of many.

If we are serious about dismantling white supremacy, we need to address these issues head-on:

1. Abolish the Electoral College: This outdated system no longer serves the interests of a true democracy. We need a system where every vote counts equally, not one that gives undue weight to certain states and demographics.

2. Restore Voting Rights: We must fight to restore the voting rights of formerly incarcerated people and dismantle the barriers—like voter ID laws and poll closures—that continue to suppress Black votes.

3. Address Gerrymandering: We need non-partisan, independent bodies to draw fair electoral districts, ensuring that political power reflects the true will of the people, not the interests of a few.

4. Education and Empowerment: Educating our communities about their rights, the history of systemic oppression, and the importance of voting is essential. We must arm ourselves with knowledge to fight back against these oppressive systems.

5. Economic and Environmental Justice: True political power can’t exist without economic power. We need to push for policies that address the racial wealth gap, environmental justice, and healthcare inequality.

Final Thoughts

The fight against white supremacy is a fight against systems that have been in place for centuries, systems that have evolved but still serve the same purpose: to maintain the power of a select few. The Electoral College is just one piece of that puzzle, but it is a significant one.

As we move forward, let’s not only challenge the overt racism we see but also the structures that continue to hold us back. Together, we can build a future where Black and brown voices are truly heard, where every vote matters, and where the system no longer serves to silence and oppress.