International Courant
The Republican Occasion’s efforts to lock down all of Nebraska’s electoral votes for former President Trump could possibly be jeopardized after a state lawmaker refused to throw his assist behind an initiative to vary how the state allocates its electoral votes.
Nebraska state Sen. Mike McDonnell, a former Democrat from Omaha who switched his social gathering to Republican this yr, issued a press release Monday about his opposition to awarding that state’s 5 electoral votes as a winner-take-all, like 48 different states presently do.
Maine and Nebraska are the one two states that give two electoral votes to the candidate who wins statewide and one to the winner in every congressional district.
“Elections ought to be a possibility for all voters to be heard, irrespective of who they’re, the place they dwell, or what social gathering they assist,” McDonnell’s assertion learn. “For many years, Nebraska has tried to dwell as much as that ideally suited by allocating our electoral faculty votes in a approach that provides all Nebraskans an equal voice in selecting our President. For Omaha, the town I really like and have known as house for 58 years, it brings great nationwide consideration, is impactful on our native economic system and forces Presidential candidates to make their case to all Nebraskans, as an alternative of simply flying over and disregarding us.”
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FILE – Nebraska State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha is proven within the Legislative Chamber in Lincoln, Neb., March 1, 2019. (AP Picture/Nati Harnik, File)
The senator continued, saying over the previous weeks, there had been conversations about whether or not to vary how the electoral faculty could possibly be allotted.
Whereas McDonnell stated he respects the will a few of his colleagues have on the problem, he has taken time to hearken to his constituents and nationwide leaders on each side of the problem.
“After deep consideration, it’s clear to me that proper now, 43 days from Election Day, shouldn’t be the second to make this variation,” he wrote. “I’ve notified Governor Pillen that I can’t change my long-held place and can oppose any tried modifications to our electoral faculty system earlier than the 2024 election.”
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McDonnell additionally stated he inspired the governor, and can encourage his colleagues, to cross an modification subsequent yr that provides the folks of Nebraska the possibility to determine on how the electoral faculty votes are allotted on the poll.
“This November, Nebraskans can have the possibility to elect candidates at each stage who mirror their views, together with on this concern,” McDonnell wrote. “That’s the way it ought to be. Nebraska voters, not politicians of both social gathering, ought to have the ultimate say on how we choose a president.”
The senator’s resolution means Republicans wouldn’t have the two-thirds majority they would want in Nebraska to drag off a change earlier than the Nov. 5 election.
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A Nebraska senator stated he opposes modifications to the electoral faculty votes that will enable Republicans to lock down all 5 votes for Trump. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Pictures)
Nebraska is one in every of 9 states that Republican candidates have carried in each presidential election since 1964. It additionally has not had a winner-take-all rule in place since 1991, and most instances since then, Republican candidates have captured the entire state’s votes.
However in 2020, President Biden captured the vote for the Second Congressional District in Omaha. Former President Obama did the identical factor in 2008.
With a purpose to lock down the presidency, a candidate must win 270 of the 538 electoral votes.
In a single situation, Democratic Presidential Candidate Vice President Kamala Harris would win the battlegrounds of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, whereas Trump wins the opposite 4 battleground states of North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. In that case, Harris would gather 269 electoral votes to Trump’s 268 — which incorporates 4 from Nebraska.
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The Related Press reported that in that situation, a Trump victory in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District would create a tie of 269-269, throwing the ultimate resolution to the U.S. Home of Representatives. At that time, every state would have one vote, a scenario that will seemingly favor Trump. However, if Harris carried the district, she can be president.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
Greg Wehner is a breaking information reporter for Fox Information Digital.
Story ideas and could be despatched to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.
