The America we aspire to is built on the principle that everyone has a voice in shaping the future of our nation. Voting is not only a civic duty but also the most direct way to shape the country’s future. Yet, in a system where the president is determined by the Electoral College, many feel the popular vote doesn’t matter.
I’m here to tell you—it absolutely does.
Having spent my career advising leaders in the private, public, and civil society sectors, I’ve witnessed how executives and officials who command the confidence of their stakeholders achieve remarkable results. As the saying goes, a leader without a strong following is just out for a walk.
Even though the Electoral College decides the presidency, a decisive popular vote can fundamentally shift the nation’s course. We need a president with a clear mandate—one that leaves no doubt about the will of the American people. That mandate is something each voter contributes to.
Why the popular vote still matters
This election cycle narrows the focus to only a few competitive states. Presently, only about seven are considered toss-ups, leaving 43 states—and roughly 80% of the population—feeling as though their votes don’t count. Voters in states with predictable outcomes may wonder why they should bother casting a ballot. However, every vote contributes to a national mandate.
That mandate matters. A president who wins a strong popular vote margin gains more than a technical victory. They earn a broad, undeniable endorsement from the electorate, giving them the political capital needed to lead, legislate, and effect meaningful change. A president with clear popular support can push through major reforms, even in a divided Congress, because their mandate is an expression of collective will.
We’ve seen examples of this. When a president secures a popular and electoral victory, winning across many states, it solidifies their ability to govern decisively. Conversely, controversial victories where the popular vote is lost have historically hampered a presidency’s legitimacy from the start. How a president wins often determines their ability to lead.
A mandate for change and unity
The challenges facing our country today are monumental. From intensifying political polarization, global conflicts, and climate change to ongoing struggles for racial and economic justice, the next president must be prepared to act boldly. But entering office without a strong popular vote could leave them facing constant political resistance, a divided public opinion, and questions about their legitimacy. A victory by millions of popular votes strengthens mandates, while a narrow Electoral College margin fuels divisions.
A decisive popular vote win provides more than just numbers—it offers moral and political authority. It equips the president to unify the country, tackle entrenched issues, and overcome opposition. Imagine what could be achieved if a president could lead with the full backing of a majority of Americans, with a mandate to address climate change, reform healthcare, continue to build our nation’s infrastructure, or pass economic policies to reduce inequality and support small businesses and entrepreneurship.
From deepening political divisions that threaten future generations to ongoing struggles with injustice, targeted discrimination, economic inequality, and acts of hate and intolerance, our disparate and diverse nation needs to unify.
Overcoming cynicism and apathy
When we give in to cynicism and apathy, we surrender our power.
If many voters across the country stay home, believing their votes don’t matter, we would risk letting a few small margins in the Electoral College determine our future, silencing the broader voice of the popular vote.
History tells us that a surge in voter engagement signals change and opportunity.
The stakes are higher in this election
This election is a pivotal moment in American history. The choices are stark, and the stakes are enormous. The next few years will define our response to issues like economic recovery, climate action, reproductive rights, and criminal justice reform. They will answer critical questions about who we are as a nation and what values we stand for.
The popular vote provides a powerful answer to those questions. It reflects the will of all Americans—not just those in battleground states—and strengthens the democratic process. Whether you live in New York, Texas, or Idaho, your vote contributes to the broader mandate that defines the future of our country.
No matter where you live or who you vote for, your participation is vital. The strength of our democracy rests on the engagement of its people. We need a president with not just the numbers to win, but the overwhelming support to lead with clarity and purpose.
The popular vote may not directly decide the presidency, but it shapes the mandate—and that mandate rests with us all.
The Electoral College decides—but the popular vote matters.
More must-read commentary published by Fortune:
The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.
