TL/DR –
Nebraska legislators have rejected a proposed change to the state’s Electoral College votes awarding system. The bipartisan rejection came despite pressure from former US President Donald Trump and Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen to switch to a winner-take-all system, which could have benefited Trump in his race against President Biden. Currently, Nebraska and Maine are the only two US states that award electoral votes to the winner of each congressional district, as opposed to the overall state winner.
Nebraska Votes Against Electoral College System Change
On Wednesday, Nebraska’s lawmakers rejected a move to shift the state’s Electoral College vote allocation to a winner-take-all system. Despite pressure from former President Donald Trump and Governor Jim Pillen, the unicameral State Legislature voted down the proposed amendment. The decision could have favored Trump in his contest against President Biden.
While it remains possible for the proposal to be added to another bill, the legislative term is nearing its end. Nebraska, like Maine, gives an electoral vote to the victor of each congressional district. This system allows a candidate who doesn’t win the state to still gain electoral votes.
Nebraska’s Electoral Vote Distribution
In Nebraska, the method translates to two electoral votes for the statewide winner and three for district winners. While two districts and the state overall lean Republican, the Second District is a battleground, as evidenced by its choice for Biden in 2020.
In a tight election like the forthcoming November one, this single electoral vote could be pivotal. In a plausible scenario where Biden wins Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and Trump takes Arizona, Georgia and Nevada, it could determine a Biden triumph or a tied Electoral College.
Should a tie ensue, the election would head to the House of Representatives, where Trump likely would win, given that each state delegation gets one vote.
Republican Opposition to the Amendment
At least some of the Republican resistance was against the amendment’s addition to a non-related bill, rather than the notion of a winner-take-all system. Senator Jana Hughes stated, “The way they attempted to attach that bill was procedurally incorrect.”
When questioned about his vote, Senator Myron Dorn agreed, citing procedural reasons for his opposition.
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