An effort to overhaul Nebraska’s electoral system to help Donald Trump in November was dealt a major blow on Monday after a key Republican state lawmaker came out against the move.
Pro-Trump Republicans in Nebraska, backed by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) have been pushing for a change in how the state allocate its electoral college votes.
Instead of a winner-takes-all system, Nebraska handed out its five electoral votes to the winner in each of the three congressional district and the two remaining votes to the overall winner of the state.
In what is expected to be a close election, that one electoral college vote from the Nebraska district, usually carried by Democrats, could be crucial to Kamala Harris’ path to 270.
So, for weeks Trump allies have been trying to get Republicans in the state to switch to a winner-takes-all system. Their efforts were unsuccessful as State Sen. Mike McDonnell (R) released a statement Monday opposing the move.
“In recent weeks, a conversation around whether to change how we allocate our Electoral College votes has returned to the forefront. I respect the desire of some of my colleagues to have this discussion, and I have taken time to listen carefully to Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue. After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change,” McDonnell said, according to The New York Times
McDonnell also reportedly told Governor Jim Pillen (R) that “I will not change my long-held position and will oppose any attempted changes to our Electoral College system before the 2024 election.”
He added that he would encourage his colleagues in the legislature next year to pass a constitutional amendment to change the rule, which would then go before voters.
“I want to thank the voters who reached out to me for engaging in democracy and for showing America who Nebraskans are — fiercely independent, filled with pride about our great city of Omaha, and deeply devoted to the promise of American democracy,” McDonnell said.
Maine is the other state that awards its four electoral votes similar to Nebraska. While Biden carried Nebraska’s 2nd congressional district in 2020, Trump carried the rural district in Maine.
Maine’s Democrat-led legislature had vowed to change their system if Nebraska moved ahead with the change to help Trump win all the state’s electoral votes. However, Maine law requires a 90-day period for state legislation to take effect, which may be the reason why Republicans waited this close to the election to make their move.
The renewed focus from Republicans on changing the rules comes as Harris appears to be heading into the November election with a slight advantage over Trump.
If Harris carries all of the states President Biden won in 2020, except Arizona, Georgia and Nevada, she would have 269 electoral votes to Trump’s 268. Harris would get to 270 if she win’s Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District.
If no candidate gets to 270 electoral votes the outcome of the election will be decided by a House vote based on the majority of each state delegation.
Republicans hold a 26-22 edge in House delegations. Two states, Minnesota and North Carolina, are evenly split.
But, it would be the members of Congress elected in November 2024, and seated in January, 2025 that would decide the winner of the presidential election if no candidate gets to 270.
