Efforts to change how Nebraska allocates its electoral votes have hit a snag.
Republican state Sen. Mike McDonnell said he will not support a push to change the state's electoral vote allocation to a winner take all system, despite a strong push from former President Donald Trump and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-N.C., visiting lawmakers in Lincoln.
"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," McDonnell said in a statement. "After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change."
Nebraska and Maine are the only two states that award their electoral votes via congressional district. Nebraska is a reliably Republican state though the state's 2nd Congressional District, which represents Omaha, voted for President Joe Biden in 2020.
If Vice President Kamala Harris wins Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, she gets to 270 electoral votes, the minimum needed to win election.
If Harris and Trump finished tied 269-269, the vote would go to the House of Representatives, with each state's congressional district getting one vote, which would likely benefit Trump.
GOP Gov. Jim Pillen, who supports switching to a winner-take-all system, had said he would call a special session if there was enough support from legislatures. In Nebraska, 33 votes would be needed to break Democrat filibuster. The unicameral legislature has 33 Republicans, but with unanimous opposition from Democrats, McConnell's refusal to vote yes means the legislation is dead for now.
Had Nebraska changed its rules, it would've been too late for Maine to switch to a winner-take-all allocation, due to the rules of its legislature. Maine is expected to go to Harris.
Trump criticized McDonnell on his Truth Social account. McDonnell is considering a run for Mayor of Omaha.
"Unfortunately, a Democrat turned Republican(?) State Senator named Mike McDonnell decided, for no reason whatsoever, to get in the way of a great Republican, common sense, victory," Trump wrote. "Just another 'Grandstander!'"
Sam Barron ✉
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.
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