GOP lawmakers from Nebraska urge state to flip to winner-take-all electoral system
Republican members of Congress from Nebraska in a Wednesday letter called on their state to apportion all of its five electoral votes to the popular vote winner of the presidential election in the state.
Nebraska, unlike most states, splits its five votes. Two of the votes go to the winner of the popular vote in the state. The other three are linked to the three congressional districts in the state and are given to who wins the popular vote in those districts.
This is a critical factor in his year's presidential race, as a victory by Vice President Harris in the district that covers the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area could help her win the presidency.
If Harris loses Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina and Nevada, she could still win the presidency by winning the other states won by President Biden in 2020 -- as long as she also wins the single electoral vote from Nebraska's second district. This would give her 270 electoral votes exactly.
Biden won the district and its electoral vote in 2020.
A survey conducted in mid-August found Vice President Harris ahead of former President Trump in the Cornhusker State’s 2nd Congressional District by 8 points. Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), Harris’s running mate, is also originally from Nebraska.
“As members of Nebraska's federal delegation in Congress, we are united in our support for apportioning all five of the Nebraska's electoral votes in presidential elections according to the winner of the whole state,” the letter, addressed to Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) and Nebraska Speaker of the Legislature John Arch. “It is past time that Nebraska join 48 other states in embracing winner-take-all in presidential elections.”
The letter features the signatures of Reps. Mike Flood (R-Neb.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.). Flood posted the letter to his account on the social platform X on Wednesday.
“We need a President that will represent all of us, from Omaha to Scottsbluff and everywhere in-between,” the Wednesday letter from the Nebraska Republicans read. “Senators and Governors are elected by the state as a whole because they represent all of the people of Nebraska equally, and the state should speak with a united voice in presidential elections as well. After all, we are Nebraskans first, not members of Nebraska's three congressional districts. Our identity as Nebraskans is what unites us in a common bond.”
Earlier this year, an attempt to switch the Cornhusker State to a “winner-take-all” Electoral College system failed a procedural vote in Nebraska's unicameral Legislature.
An effort to link the bill to a different measure as an amendment fell through, as state Sen. Julie Slama headed up the amendment push. Only eight of the necessary 23 legislators supported the vote.
The Hill has reached out to Pillen’s and Arch’s offices.
Updated at 11:24 a.m. EDT
Date: |
Topics
-
CBS News - Top stories
Graham hopes Nebraska will change system that could give electoral vote to Harris
Sen. Lindsey Graham said it's "very reasonable" for Nebraska to push for a change to its electoral vote system because the election could come down to a single electoral vote.2 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
Nebraska may change its electoral system at the last second to help Trump win | Stephen Marche
The state’s Republican governor has proposed a legal change that could alter the course of the national presidential election. American democracy is in a fragile place. If you haven’t figured that ...11 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
GOP lawmaker: 'It doesn't feel safe right now to be in politics'
Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R) said in a Wednesday interview on NewsNation's "Cuomo" that she is more concerned with her safety as a member of Congress than when she served in the military, ...5 hours ago -
NBC News - Politics
Government shutdown looms, after Trump urged House GOP to vote against their own budget bill
With a potential government shutdown taking place at the end of the month, NBC Senior National Political Reporter Sahil Kapur reports on the latest developments after House Republicans rejected ...19 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
Inc. - Business
New Trump Crypto Venture Gets Boost From GOP Candidate Himself
Donald Trump announced the creation of a new family cryptocurrency business that--for now--is getting more attention for potential conflicts of interest than the startup's operating details.2 days ago - Donald Trump -
CBS Sports - Sports
Nebraska vs. Illinois prediction, odds, line: 2024 college football picks, Week 4 best bets from proven expert
SportsLine's Jimmie Kaylor revealed his Week 4 CFB picks, predictions and props for the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln31 minutes ago - College Football -
The Hill - Politics
Evening Report — Trump takes campaign into blue states
Presented by the National Council on Aging — 📉 Plus: Feds lower interest rates {beacon} Evening Report Wednesday, Sept. 18 © Paul Sancya, Associated Press Trump takes campaign into blue states ...Yesterday - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Democrats bullish on flipping New Hampshire governor's mansion
Democrats in New Hampshire see their best opportunity in years to flip the governor’s mansion in what is shaping up to be among the most competitive races for a state executive position this cycle. ...11 hours ago
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Report: Cancer deaths have dropped, but alcohol is factor in new cases
Scientific advances helped avert 4.1 million deaths from cancer in the 30 years between 1991 and 2021 according to a new report, but the disease continues to be a public health challenge. The ...50 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Harris vs. Trump: What the polls are saying
Welcome to The Hill's Campaign newsletter {beacon} Campaign Report Campaign Report The Big Story Harris vs. Trump: What the polls are saying The presidential election between Vice President ...1 hour ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Kellyanne Conway: Trump would choose JD Vance again
Kellyanne Conway has suggested that former President Trump does not regret picking Sen. JD Vance as his running mate and would make the same decision today if given the opportunity.1 hour ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Robinson says he's staying in NC governor's race after bombshell CNN report
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R) on Thursday said he’s staying in the gubernatorial race following speculation throughout the day that he might drop out in response to an explosive CNN ...1 hour ago -
The Hill - Politics
Casey leading McCormick in Pennsylvania Senate polling
Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey (D) is leading his Republican rival Dave McCormick in new Keystone State polling. In a new poll from The Philadelphia Inquirer/The New York Times/Siena College, Casey ...1 hour ago