Key Nebraska Republican comes out against Electoral College rule change
Republicans have been dealt a major blow in their efforts to overhaul Nebraska’s Electoral College system, a move that could have ultimately cost Vice President Harris a critical vote in November.
State Sen. Mike McDonnell (R), seen as the key figure in determining whether Republicans would have enough support to move forward, came out against the effort in a statement Monday, all but dashing his party’s hopes of switching to a winner-takes-all system in the Cornhusker State.
“In recent weeks, a conversation around whether to change how we allocate our electoral college votes has returned to the forefront,” McDonnell said in a statement. “I respect the desire of some of my colleagues to have this discussion, and I have taken time to listen carefully to Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue. After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.”
Republicans for weeks had been pushing for the change, which almost certainly would have added an electoral vote to former President Trump’s tally. That single vote could have been critical, since one plausible path in the presidential contest would see Harris landing on exactly 270 electoral votes.
That scenario revolves around Harris carrying all of the states President Biden won in 2020, with the exceptions of Arizona, Georgia and Nevada. That would leave Harris with 269 electoral votes and Trump with 268. Harris would get to 270, enough to win the White House, if she, like Biden, carries Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District.
Depriving Harris of that path would have paid dividends for the GOP. Trump and his allies reportedly courted key GOP votes in Nebraska to try to convince lawmakers to vote in favor of the change.
Gov. Jim Pillen (R) held a meeting with state senators and Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen (R) last week, according to the Nebraska Examiner. Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also attended the meeting and has voiced his support for the effort.
But McDonnell on Monday said he had told Pillen he would “not change my long-held position and will oppose any attempted changes to our Electoral College system before the 2024 election.”
He added that he would encourage his colleagues in the Legislature next year to pass a constitutional amendment to alter the rule, which would then go before voters.
“I want to thank the voters who reached out to me for engaging in democracy and for showing America who Nebraskans are — fiercely independent, filled with pride about our great city of Omaha, and deeply devoted to the promise of American democracy,” McDonnell said.
Nebraska is unusual in that it splits its five electoral votes, handing out three based on the performance of each candidate in the state’s three congressional districts. Another two votes are awarded to whichever candidate outright wins the state. Maine is the other state that awards its electoral votes this way, doling out a total of four votes.
Efforts to pass an overhaul of the system already failed earlier this year. But the renewed focus on switching to a winner-takes-all system comes as Harris appears to be heading into November with a slight advantage over Trump. Preventing Democrats from securing that single electoral vote in Nebraska could ultimately swing the race for the former president.
A tie vote in the Electoral College would swing the contest to a House vote based on the majority of each state delegation. Republicans are almost certain to hold a majority in that contest.
“There is a mathematical universe in the upcoming 2024 presidential election where one electoral vote could be meaningful,” said Kevin Smith, a political science professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Polling in Nebraska’s 2nd District has been limited, but the Harris campaign is almost certainly counting on winning that delegate, said Drew McCoy, president of Decision Desk HQ.
Democrats expressed relief at the news.
"Republicans were playing with fire and using the Constitution as kindling,” said Democratic strategist Jim Kessler. “Sen. McDonnell threw cold water on that idea."
Even before McDonnell’s statement, Democrats in the state were skeptical that the change would happen.
Vince Powers, a Lincoln-based attorney and former Democratic state party chair, said he “cannot imagine” an Omaha-area lawmaker would vote to get rid of the split vote as Democrats rally support in the so-called blue dot.
He also noted skepticism that the race will ultimately hinge on the 2nd District.
“Every four years, there's a scenario where people get out the map and say, ‘Look, this could be vote number 270,’ and it's not going to happen," Powers said.
Other Democrats saw the move as an act of desperation.
“I personally think that the 11th-hour awakening of trying to resurrect this shows that the right is worried about this electoral vote; they wouldn't be bringing so much attention to it if they felt safe and secure about getting it,” said Nebraska-based consultant Brent Comstock, who works primarily with Democrats in the state, before McDonnell came out publicly against it.
Nebraska was not the only state where changes were being mulled. Last week, three Trump-aligned members of the Georgia State Election Board voted to require ballots to be hand-counted in the critical swing state, despite concerns raised by state officials and election workers over the legality of such a move and logistical challenges weeks before an election to enact it.
“The Trump Republican Party is like a petulant little kid who wants their way no matter what and will keep trying no matter what,” said Democratic strategist Mike Lux.
Updated at 2:49 p.m. EDT
Date: |
-
NBC News - Politics
Key Nebraska Republican opposes changing how the state awards electoral votes, blocking Trump push
A Nebraska Republican state lawmaker said Monday that he remains opposed to switching how the state allocates its electoral votes — a blow to former President Donald Trump and his allies, who are ...2 hours ago - Donald Trump -
ABC News - Top stories
Key Nebraska Republican opposes Trump effort to change state's electoral vote process
A growing Republican effort to switch Nebraska's electoral process to winner-take-all hit a major snag on Monday after a key state lawmaker came out in opposition.47 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
The Guardian - World
Republicans step up effort to change Nebraska voting rules to help Trump
Key figures seek to bring about winner-takes-all allocation that would give Trump all five electoral college votes. Congressional Republicans are demanding an 11th-hour change to Nebraska’s ...2 days ago - Donald Trump -
CBS News - Top stories
Change to Nebraska electoral system could impact Harris' path to victory
A potential "winner-take-all" electoral system in Nebraska could alter the path to victory for Vice President Kamala Harris. CBS News political director Fin Gomez has more.3 days ago -
Yahoo Sports - Sports
College football updates: OU humbled by Tennessee in SEC debut
The No. 6 Volunteers shut down the No. 15 Sooners' offense. Get updates on all the big games in Week 4.2 days ago - College Football -
The Guardian - World
‘Morally indefensible’ – but George W Bush will not come out against Trump
While Dick Cheney has endorsed Harris, there have been no comments from other senior Republicans from Bush’s era. The MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell this week hit out at George W Bush, the ...Yesterday - Donald Trump -
CBS Sports - Sports
2024 college football Week 4 picks against the spread, odds, lines, key trends: Vegas expert makes picks
Legendary Vegas handicapper Bruce Marshall has studied the trends and found the best betting values during the Week 4 college football schedule2 days ago - College Football
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Wyden presses hospitals for answers about delayed or denied emergency abortion care
A top Senate Democrat is pressing hospitals in states with abortion bans about how they are complying with a federal emergency care law, following reports about women who need emergency ...21 minutes ago - Abortion -
The Hill - Politics
Coalition pushes lawmakers to sign 'No Dictators Declaration' in wake of immunity decision
A bipartisan coalition is pushing for lawmakers to sign a declaration to combat possible abuses of power by the president in the wake of a Supreme Court decision giving former executives broad ...34 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Trump accuses DOJ, FBI of ’mishandling and downplaying’ assassination attempt
Former President Trump on Monday accused the Justice Department and FBI of “downplaying” the second apparent assassination attempt against him this year, suggesting the case should be left to ...57 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Harris leads Trump by 5 points in Pennsylvania: Poll
Vice President Harris is leading former President Trump in the swing state of Pennsylvania, according to a new Spotlight PA/MassINC poll. Harris is winning 49 percent support in the poll, compared ...1 hour ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Harris tops Trump by 5 points in Minnesota: Poll
Vice President Harris leads former President Trump by 5 points in Minnesota, according to a poll released Monday. Harris garnered 48 percent support from registered voters in the North Star State ...1 hour ago - Donald Trump