An attempt to make Nebraska's elections into a 'winner-take-all' system failed this week as State Sen. Julie Slama's proposed election overhaul did not garner enough support. The proposal, attached to an unrelated bill, fell short of the necessary votes with a final count of 8-36. Nebraska, along with Maine, is one of only two states in the U.S. that do not use the winner-take-all system in the Electoral College, assigning votes based on district.
A shift to a winner-take-all system would likely benefit Republicans by allowing the red majority in Nebraska to dominate and prevent minority blue factions from capturing a delegate. Despite holding a legislative majority, Republicans failed to pass the amendment, drawing criticism from Slama for lacking 'intestinal fortitude.'
