Nebraska is a Republican state with a blue dot in Omaha, which gave a electoral vote to Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Donald Trump and his allies are pushing to change the state’s system to winner-take-all for electoral votes. Despite the Nebraska Legislature rejecting the change, Trump loyalists are determined to continue the effort. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has expressed openness to a special session to make the switch, but only if there is enough support in the Legislature.
The battle over the electoral vote system in Nebraska highlights a close presidential race between Biden and Trump. Nebraska and Maine are the only states that divide electoral votes by congressional district rather than a winner-takes-all approach. Trump and Biden both benefited from this system in Maine and Nebraska. The potential impact of a single electoral vote in Nebraska on the overall election outcome is crucial in a closely contested race.
The effort to change Nebraska’s election law faces challenges in the state’s unicameral Legislature. 33 senators would need to support the measure to overcome a Democratic-led filibuster. While Trump supporters are lobbying for the change, it remains uncertain if their efforts will be successful. Nebraska Republicans have intensified their push for the change, viewing it as a way to potentially secure victory for Trump in a close race.
The Nebraska Republican Party has ramped up efforts to switch to a winner-take-all system for electoral votes. This move reflects the acknowledgment that the race between Trump and Biden is tight. Republican leaders believe that changing the law could benefit Trump and restrict Biden’s options for victory. The fate of the potential measure is uncertain and could lead to legal challenges if election rules are changed during the campaign.
Conservative activists and Trump allies are urging for a shift to winner-take-all in Nebraska. State lawmakers have faced pressure from the right to revisit the law, with activists planning further events to push for the change. The Biden campaign is actively engaging in Nebraska, with second gentleman Doug Emhoff opening a Democratic Party office in Omaha. Both parties are gearing up for a contentious battle over the state’s electoral votes, emphasizing the importance of the blue dot in a predominantly red state.
