A pressure campaign led by former President Donald Trump and Republican allies to alter Nebraska's election law suffered a setback on Monday. State Senator Mike McDonnell, a key figure in the decision-making process, announced that he would not support overturning the state's 30-year-old law that allocates electoral votes by congressional district.
In a statement released on Monday, Senator McDonnell emphasized that he would not vote to modify the existing law before the upcoming November election. He stated, 'After careful consideration, I believe that with only 43 days left until Election Day, this is not the appropriate time to enact such a change. I have informed Governor Pillen of my decision to maintain my stance and oppose any attempts to alter our electoral college system prior to the 2024 election.'
The push to revise Nebraska's election law gained momentum when former President Trump engaged in discussions with Nebraska GOP lawmakers during a meeting with Republican Governor Jim Pillen. Despite previous unsuccessful attempts to amend the law, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina traveled to Nebraska to engage with legislators last Wednesday in an effort to bolster Trump's position.
Senator McDonnell's firm stance against changing the electoral vote allocation system in Nebraska represents a significant obstacle for Trump and his supporters. The decision underscores the complexities and challenges associated with altering election laws, particularly in the lead-up to a crucial election.