Former Vice President Kamala Harris endorsed expanding the U. S.
Supreme Court to 13 justices and called for revisiting the Electoral College during a speech at the National Urban League Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday, July 31, 2026.
Harris presented several progressive policy positions that were not part of her 2024 presidential campaign platform.
She also expressed support for granting statehood to Puerto Rico and Washington, D. C.
Revisiting the Electoral College
“We must allow for a real conversation about revisiting certain things,” said Harris. “I know this is gonna be controversial coming from me, in particular.
We need to revisit the Electoral College.”
Harris lost both the popular vote and the Electoral College to President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
Court Expansion Proposal
The push for court expansion comes amid broader efforts among Democrats to counter the current six-to-three conservative majority on the high court, where three justices were appointed by Trump.
“We need to revisit the point of expanding the court to 13 justices like we have 13 district courts,” said Harris.
The federal judiciary currently operates with 13 circuit courts and 94 district courts.
During her 2020 presidential bid, Harris had noted she was open to discussing court expansion.
She later backed term limits proposed by President Joe Biden without advocating for adding justices.
Harris had previously voiced support for a 13-justice bench during an interview with former CNN host Don Lemon, stating she absolutely believed the country should explore the concept.
Focus on Midterms
Despite outlining these progressive reforms and maintaining outreach to key party figures, Harris stated that her immediate political focus remains on upcoming elections rather than a formal campaign announcement.
“I have not made a decision,” said Harris. “I am fully, sincerely, focused on these midterms.”
When asked by Rev.
Al Sharpton at the National Action Network’s 35th Anniversary Convention in April about a potential presidential run, Harris kept her options open.
“I might. I might.
I'm thinking about it... I'll keep you posted,” said Harris.
Harris has recently engaged with several prominent progressive figures within the Democratic Party, including contacting New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani in May and holding a private meeting with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York at a summit in Chicago.
Other potential 2028 Democratic candidates have expressed varying views on institutional reform.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg previously proposed a 15-justice court, while California Governor Gavin Newsom recently indicated he is warming to the idea of expansion.
