Gov. Jim Pillen (R-NE) poured cold water on calls from former President Donald Trump and his allies for Nebraska to overhaul the way it allocates its electoral votes, declaring that he would not call a special legislative session.
Pillen said in a statement from his office that he will not call a session to change the state’s electoral process to a “winner-take-all” system despite calls from state and national Republicans to switch in the hopes it could boost GOP chances of sweeping Nebraska in 2024.
“My team and I have worked relentlessly to secure a filibuster-proof 33-vote majority to get winner-take-all passed before the November election,” Pillen said. “Given everything at stake for Nebraska and our country, we have left every inch on the field to get this done.”
“Unfortunately, we could not persuade 33 state senators,” Pillen continued.
The governor’s announcement comes after GOP state Sen. Mike McDonnell, who represents Omaha, said he would not support an effort by Republicans in the Nebraska state legislature to return to the “status quo” of awarding all of its votes to a single presidential candidate.
“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. “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 uses a congressional district method that allocates two electoral votes to the candidate who wins the statewide popular vote and awards one electoral vote to the popular vote winner in each congressional district. Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, which is a swing district, could determine the general election if it comes down to just one vote and is coveted by Republicans as they face a contentious presidential race.
In 2008, Barack Obama won the 2nd District, but Republican Sen. John McCain won the state as a whole. Republican nominee Mitt Romney won both the 2nd District and the state as a whole in 2012. Trump then secured the district in 2016 before it swung back to Democrats in 2020.
The winner-takes-all initiative was backed by Trump and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who visited the state to rally support. However, with 49 senators in the unicameral Nebraska legislature, 33 senators are needed to avoid a filibuster.
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There are 33 Republicans, 15 Democrats, and one independent in the legislature. With all Democrats and the independent likely against the initiative, McDonnell’s defection effectively nixes Republicans’ chances of switching to a winner-takes-all at this time.
Pillen called McDonnell’s decision “profoundly disappointing” to him and “many others who have worked so earnestly to ensure all Nebraskans’ votes are sought after equally this election.”