Efforts to alter how Nebraska allocates its electoral votes ahead of the November presidential election seem to have hit a roadblock. Governor Jim Pillen stated that the proposal lacks the necessary two-thirds majority to pass in time for the upcoming election. Nebraska, along with Maine, splits its electoral votes, with two going to the statewide winner and one to the winner in each congressional district.
In the 2020 election, Democrat Joe Biden won Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, marking a significant shift as Republicans have historically carried the state. Former President Donald Trump, who lost the district, expressed his intention to win it back, acknowledging the potential impact of a single electoral vote.
The scenario of a tied electoral vote, with Nebraska's vote being decisive, is a possibility that both parties are considering. Jane Kleeb of the Nebraska Democratic Party emphasized that splitting the state's electoral vote ensures a fair representation of the people's will.
Lawmakers are currently out of session, with no plans to reconvene until January. Governor Pillen would have needed to call a special session to enact any changes, which he declined to do without clear support for the measure.
Nebraska's unique, one-chamber Legislature requires a two-thirds majority for any immediate changes, making it challenging for Republicans to revert to a winner-take-all system. The 1991 law that split the state's electoral votes was enacted under a Democratic governor to attract presidential candidates to the state.
Republican state Senator Mike McDonnell's opposition to the change, citing the proximity to the election, further complicated the situation. McDonnell suggested putting a state constitutional amendment on the ballot for voters to decide.
Former President Trump expressed disappointment over the failed attempt to change the electoral vote allocation, advocating for a return to a winner-take-all rule. Governor Pillen lamented the outcome, stating that despite efforts, the opposition thwarted the push for change.
With the current status quo maintained, Nebraska's electoral vote allocation remains unchanged for the upcoming election.
