Nebraska governor decides against special session to alter Electoral College system.
Nebraska’s Republican Governor Jim Pillen made a significant announcement on Tuesday, declaring that he would not be calling a special session to alter how the state assigns Electoral College votes ahead of the upcoming November election. This decision serves as a setback for former President Donald Trump, who stood to gain substantially under a winner-take-all allocation system.
In a statement, Pillen expressed his disappointment, stating, “My team and I have worked tirelessly to secure a filibuster-proof 33-vote majority to implement a winner-take-all system before the November election. Unfortunately, we were unable to convince 33 state senators to support the change.”
State Senator Mike McDonnell, a Democrat-turned-Republican from Omaha, played a pivotal role in this development as he announced his opposition to the proposed change on Monday. His stance meant that Republicans would fall short of the required support unless a Democrat or independent senator chose to defect.
Reflecting on the ongoing deliberations, McDonnell shared, “In recent weeks, discussions around altering our method of allocating Electoral College votes have gained prominence. I have respected the desire of my colleagues to engage in this debate and have carefully listened to the perspectives from Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides. After thorough contemplation, it is evident to me that making this change just 43 days before Election Day is not the appropriate course of action.”
Nebraska currently distributes its five electoral votes in a unique manner, with three votes being assigned based on the winner in each of the state’s congressional districts, while the remaining two votes are awarded to the presidential candidate who secures victory in the overall statewide popular vote.
Recently, Republicans in the state have been advocating for a shift to a winner-take-all approach. This adjustment would have prevented Vice President Kamala Harris from receiving one electoral vote from Nebraska’s 2nd District, which encompasses Omaha. Notably, this district is more competitive compared to the rest of the state, which leans heavily Republican. In recent elections, President Biden clinched victory in the district in 2020, while former President Barack Obama emerged victorious in 2008.
McDonnell proposed conducting a future vote on a constitutional amendment that would redefine how Nebraska allots its Electoral College votes. Pillen expressed profound disappointment in McDonnell’s decision, underscoring the complexity and significance of the matter at hand.
As the state grapples with the implications of its electoral processes, the future remains uncertain. Stay tuned as this story continues to evolve.
