VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidate John Delaney On Reforming U.S. Electoral System

Rep. John Delaney (D-Maryland) has some ideas on how to reform the much-maligned U.S. electoral system.

The 2020 Democratic presidential candidate talked to uPolitics exclusively about his view on the issue.

“In terms of the electoral system itself, I would want to harden it first and foremost, because I think it’s very vulnerable right now,” said Delaney.

Delaney specifically noted that election security should become a top priority after criticizing President Donald Trump for refuting several intelligence agencies and congressional panels’ assessments that Russia tried to interfere in the 2016 election to help him win.

The Maryland Democrat also stressed the need to address three primary issues that have plagued many U.S. elections in recent years: gerrymandering efforts, the heavy influence of corporations and political action committees (PACs) in campaign finance and voter suppression.

SLIDESHOW: TOP DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2020

Delaney said that he would support overturning the landmark 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court case in order to help curb corporations’ influence on political campaigns, although he also said a constitutional amendment could serve as a solution to this issue. He also said he would be in favor of updating the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in order to combat voter suppression, which often targets racial and ethnic minorities.

Among the other controversies that take place during elections are strict voter identification laws that hurt low-income rural voters and long lines at the polls that affect hourly employees who request time off from work to go vote.

WATCH: JOHN DELANEY ON IMPROVING U.S. HEALTHCARE 

Some lawmakers have proposed making Election Day a national holiday, but top Republicans have decried this proposal, claiming it would only benefit Democrats.

Another more recently debated subject within the topic of election reform revolves around whether nor not to abolish the Electoral College and move to a system that exclusively takes into account the popular vote.

Article by Pablo Mena

Writer for uPolitics.com. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Click here for the 10 Most Powerful Political Couples Slideshow