Summary
The Trump campaign’s push to change Nebraska’s electoral vote allocation aimed to switch the state from its current system, which awards electoral votes by congressional district, to a winner-take-all approach. This change would have potentially benefitted Trump by consolidating all five of Nebraska’s electoral votes under the candidate who wins the statewide popular vote, thereby increasing his chances in the closely contested 2024 presidential election.
In the lead-up to the November election, Trump and his allies, including Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Senator Lindsey Graham, sought to rally support for this legislative change. However, the effort faced significant obstacles, primarily due to the opposition from key Republican state lawmaker Mike McDonnell, who stated he would not support any changes so close to the election. McDonnell’s stance reflected concerns about fairness and the integrity of the electoral process, emphasizing that voters, not politicians, should decide on such matters. Ultimately, the lack of a two-thirds majority needed to pass the change in Nebraska’s unicameral legislature led to the abandonment of the proposal, leaving the state’s existing electoral vote allocation system intact for the upcoming election.
Background on Nebraska’s Electoral Vote System
Nebraska is one of only two states, along with Maine, that allocates its electoral votes by congressional district. This unique system allows candidates to win individual electoral votes based on their performance in each district, rather than a winner-takes-all approach used by most states. In the 2020 election, President Joe Biden won Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Omaha, thereby securing one electoral vote despite Trump winning the state overall. This district’s competitive nature makes it a focal point in the upcoming election, as both parties recognize its importance in a potentially tight race.
The Push for Change
The Trump campaign’s push for a winner-take-all system was motivated by the desire to eliminate the risk of losing an electoral vote from Nebraska, particularly from the 2nd District. With polls indicating a close race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, every electoral vote counts. The proposed change had garnered initial support from state Republican leadership, but McDonnell’s firm opposition highlighted the challenges of rallying the necessary legislative backing.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the failure of the push to alter Nebraska’s electoral vote allocation underscores the complexities of electoral politics and the varied interests at play within state legislatures. With the election approaching, the existing system will remain in place, and both campaigns will need to strategize around Nebraska’s unique electoral landscape.
It's late to fight over voting rules, but they're doing it anyway
Oct. 9 / Newsday / Explores McDonnell's rationale behind opposing the electoral change, emphasizing his commitment to fairness. The personal insights into his motivations add depth to the narrative and highlight his principled stance. “ Once the election cycle begins, you probably shouldn’t attempt to change the rules for what counts as a vote, or how the electoral votes get allocated. That...
Toss-up House district in Nebraska swings in Democrats’ favor
Oct. 1 / Gazette / Analyzes the shifting political landscape in Nebraska's 2nd District, offering insights into Democratic gains. It contextualizes the importance of this district in the broader electoral map, enhancing understanding. “ A key toss-up district in Nebraska is shifting in Democrats’ direction, giving the party a slight boost as it seeks to take control of the House next year....
Editorial: More states should be following Maine and Nebraska in splitting electoral votes
Sep. 30 / Boulder Daily Camera / Calls attention to the broader implications of Nebraska's electoral system, advocating for its preservation. The piece effectively critiques the GOP's last-minute push and emphasizes the need for fair representation. “ Earlier this week, Donald Trump and other national Republican figures were still trying to convince Nebraska lawmakers to change how their state allocates...
Trump Allies Bombard the Courts, Setting Stage for Post-Election Fight - The New York Times
Sep. 29 / Google News / Discusses the stalled GOP initiative to alter Nebraska's electoral system, highlighting the political maneuvering involved. The article provides essential context about the implications for the upcoming election. “ Trump Allies Bombard the Courts, Setting Stage for Post-Election Fight The New York TimesRepublicans lay legal groundwork for election challenges...
Nebraska’s plan to isolate Maine and help Donald Trump runs out of steam
Sep. 23 / Bangor Daily News / Provides a succinct overview of the failed GOP effort to change Nebraska's electoral vote allocation. The piece effectively highlights the political dynamics and key players involved, particularly Sen. McDonnell's stance. “ This is a distilled explanation of political events. We’re using new story formats during the 2024 campaign to bring you more news. Send us ideas and...
Republican bid to alter Nebraska's electoral system to boost Trump fails
Sep. 23 / Gazette / Reports on the stalled Republican initiative, capturing the urgency and significance of Nebraska's electoral system. The article effectively summarizes the legislative challenges without unnecessary elaboration. “ By Joseph Ax (Reuters) - A last-minute Republican effort to award Nebraska's five Electoral College votes on a winner-take-all basis - a change that would...
Nebraska governor halts push to prevent Trump from losing electoral vote
Sep. 24 / Dailykos / Describes Trump's reaction to the failure of the electoral change effort, revealing tensions within the GOP. The commentary from other political figures adds a unique perspective on the broader implications of the situation. “ An effort to prevent Donald Trump from losing a potentially crucial electoral vote from Nebraska appeared dead Tuesday after the state's Republican governor...
Several states change election rules, even as voting is set to begin
Sep. 24 / Dailykos / Discusses the implications of changing Nebraska's electoral system, highlighting the urgency of the situation. It effectively situates the local debate within the context of national electoral strategies. “ In Georgia, election workers will have to hand count the number of ballots cast after voting is completed. In North Carolina, some students and university...
At the UN, world leaders try to lay out a vision for the future — and actually make it happen
Sep. 23 / The Seattle Times / Offers a comprehensive overview of the U.N.'s "Pact for the Future," emphasizing its significance in addressing global challenges. The detailed account of negotiations and outcomes adds depth to the discussion. “ UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly adopted a “Pact for the Future” to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Now comes the hard part: uniting...
A bid to change the electoral math hits a roadblock: From the Politics Desk
Sep. 23 / Nbc News / A succinct overview of a key Nebraska senator's resistance to changing the electoral vote system, this piece underscores the implications for Trump, making it relevant for understanding the political landscape. “ Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk , an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis...
A Republican senator blocks GOP bid to lock down all of Nebraska's electoral votes
Sep. 23 / L.a. Times / Explores the implications of McDonnell's stance in detail, emphasizing the significance of his position in the context of the GOP's broader strategy. The article effectively frames the political stakes involved. “ A Republican effort to lock down all of Nebraska’s electoral votes for former President Donald Trump appeared doomed Monday when a state lawmaker denied...
Key Nebraska Republican rejects push to change Electoral College system to benefit Trump - CBS News
Sep. 23 / Google News / Concise reporting on McDonnell's rejection of the proposed electoral change, emphasizing the implications for Trump. The article captures the urgency of the situation without unnecessary detail. “ Key Nebraska Republican rejects push to change Electoral College system to benefit Trump CBS NewsNebraska governor ends push to change the way state awards...
Key Nebraska senator rejects Trump push for late electoral shake-up
Sep. 23 / Gazette / Analyzes McDonnell's firm rejection of the proposed electoral change, emphasizing the implications for Trump. The article provides a clear understanding of the stakes involved in this legislative battle. “ A key Republican from Omaha is rejecting efforts to change how Nebraska allocates its Electoral College votes ahead of the 2024 election, dealing a blow to...
Nebraska Republican torches party's hopes for extra electoral vote
Sep. 23 / Axios / Focuses on the GOP's struggle to secure enough votes for the proposed change, effectively contextualizing the significance of Nebraska's electoral system in the larger electoral map. “ A GOP-led effort to move Nebraska to a winner-take-all electoral college system was dealt another blow Monday as state Sen. Mike McDonnell (R) said he...
Meet the Press NOW — September 23
Sep. 23 / Nbc News / Reports on McDonnell's firm stance against changing Nebraska's electoral vote allocation, emphasizing the implications for Trump's strategy. The article captures the urgency surrounding the legislative efforts. “ Steve Kornacki digs into the latest NBC News Poll, which shows an "off the charts" gender gap between Vice President Harris and former President Trump. Rep....