A new push to change Nebraska’s electoral vote system has surfaced, as Republican lawmakers attempt to shift the state to a winner-take-all model. Nebraska currently splits its electoral votes between statewide winners and congressional district results, a system it shares only with Maine.
This renewed effort comes after a similar proposal failed earlier this year due to procedural roadblocks. However, Gov. Jim Pillen (R-NE) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) are pushing forward, meeting with over 20 Republican state senators to discuss the potential benefits of making the change.
Graham emphasized the importance of every electoral vote, saying that just one could tip a close election. During the discussions, state Sen. Merv Riepe (R) spoke with President Donald Trump, who strongly supported the idea. The entire Nebraska U.S. congressional delegation is also reportedly backing the proposal.
Despite these efforts, some Republican senators remain undecided. The Second Congressional District — an area that includes much of Omaha — has been a battleground in recent elections, with President Biden winning it in 2020. A switch to winner-take-all could mean the loss of that district’s unique electoral vote, raising concerns among some lawmakers who represent that area.
State Sen. Mike McDonnell (R) is seen as a key figure in the debate. He recently switched from the Democrat Party to the GOP, giving Republicans a supermajority in the state legislature. McDonnell’s potential run for Omaha mayor could play a role in his stance, as the city is part of the Second District.
