Nebraska Republican opposes changing Electoral College for Trump’s benefit

Nebraska State Senator Mike McDonnell recently made headlines for his decision not to support the Republican Party’s last-minute push to change the allocation of Electoral College votes in the state to winner-take-all. This move, if implemented, would have likely benefited former President Donald Trump. McDonnell, a Democrat-turned Republican from Omaha, emphasized that he would oppose any changes to the state’s system before the upcoming November election.

In Nebraska, unlike most states, electoral votes are allocated based on congressional districts. The winner in each of the state’s three congressional districts is given an electoral vote, while the candidate who wins the statewide popular vote receives the remaining two. Recent efforts by Republicans aimed to transition Nebraska to a winner-take-all system. This shift could potentially impact Vice President Kamala Harris by denying her an electoral vote from Nebraska’s 2nd District, which includes Omaha. Despite the state’s overall Republican leaning, the 2nd District is known to be more competitive, with President Biden winning it in 2020 and former President Barack Obama in 2008.

McDonnell highlighted his stance on the issue to Governor Jim Pillen, suggesting that there should be a future vote on a constitutional amendment to redefine how Nebraska awards its Electoral College votes. He emphasized that the decision-making power should ultimately lie with Nebraska voters rather than politicians from either party.

While Governor Pillen previously expressed his willingness to convene a special session for a vote on the matter if there was sufficient support, McDonnell’s opposition indicates that Republicans may fall short of the necessary numbers for a change unless a Democrat or independent crosses party lines.

Despite the ongoing debate surrounding the allocation of electoral votes in Nebraska, it is evident that the issue carries significant implications for the state’s political landscape and the broader national discourse. As the November election approaches, the decision on how Nebraska will determine its Electoral College votes remains a key topic of discussion among policymakers and voters alike.