Overview
- Clinton's remark that the Electoral College is "an abomination" was disclosed ahead of the Netflix five-part series The American Experiment, which revisits the founding era and U.S. political institutions.
- The series, directed by Brian Knappenberger and executive produced by Tom Hanks, features interviews with figures across the political spectrum including Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Ted Cruz, Al Gore and Nancy Pelosi.
- The Electoral College gives each state a number of electors equal to its congressional delegation so smaller states have proportionally more influence, a system that produced a 2016 outcome where Clinton won the national popular vote by nearly three million but lost the presidency.
- Coverage of Clinton's line has fallen along partisan lines with conservative outlets criticizing her as unable to move on and mainstream outlets emphasizing the series' broader historical critique.
- The show's release, which premieres Wednesday, June 24, comes as interest grows in alternatives such as the National Popular Vote Compact and could renew public and political pressure to revisit how the United States selects its president.