Nebraska governor declares GOP bid to alter state's electoral votes to advantage Trump has failed
Jim Pillen, a supporter of the former president who endorsed the proposal, stated that he would not convene a special session due to insufficient votes among the legislators.
TroibNews 
Republicans' attempt to alter Nebraska's distinctive electoral vote allocation system to advantage former President Donald Trump ahead of the November election has encountered an obstacle.
Republican Governor Jim Pillen, a key advocate for transforming Nebraska into a winner-takes-all state, announced on Tuesday that he has “no plans to call a special session on this issue prior to the 2024 election” due to his inability to secure the 33 votes necessary to prevent a filibuster if the proposal were to be presented to the legislature.
Presently, Nebraska divides its Electoral College votes, awarding two to the winner of the statewide popular vote and one to the victor in each congressional district. Modifying this system would clearly benefit Trump, potentially denying Vice President Kamala Harris an electoral vote from the 2nd District—a swing area centered around Omaha that has recently leaned Democratic.
In the 2020 election, now-President Joe Biden won the 2nd District by approximately 6 points, following Trump's narrow 2-point victory in 2016.
“Given everything at stake for Nebraska and our country, we have left every inch on the field to get this done,” Pillen stated. “Unfortunately, we could not persuade 33 state senators.”
Pillen has indicated he would refrain from calling a special session until he could ensure sufficient support for the transition to a winner-takes-all model.
On Monday, GOP state Senator Mike McDonnell expressed his opposition to the change, posing a setback to Trump's supporters. Earlier this year, McDonnell switched his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican and is anticipated to run for mayor of Omaha next year, which means that endorsing the electoral vote shift could be politically disadvantageous.
In a statement, McDonnell suggested supporting a constitutional amendment in the next legislative session to allow voters to decide on the proposed change.
Trump reacted negatively to McDonnell’s stance, labeling him a “grandstander” and referencing Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, whom McDonnell would challenge if he pursues the mayoral position. Pillen also described McDonnell’s position as “profoundly disappointing.”
Nebraska Republicans have long sought to change the state's method of distributing electoral votes, yet they failed to achieve this before the conclusion of the legislative session earlier this year. Recent efforts have intensified, with Senator Lindsey Graham meeting with Pillen and state legislators to advocate for the change ahead of the upcoming Election Day.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
Republican Governor Jim Pillen, a key advocate for transforming Nebraska into a winner-takes-all state, announced on Tuesday that he has “no plans to call a special session on this issue prior to the 2024 election” due to his inability to secure the 33 votes necessary to prevent a filibuster if the proposal were to be presented to the legislature.
Presently, Nebraska divides its Electoral College votes, awarding two to the winner of the statewide popular vote and one to the victor in each congressional district. Modifying this system would clearly benefit Trump, potentially denying Vice President Kamala Harris an electoral vote from the 2nd District—a swing area centered around Omaha that has recently leaned Democratic.
In the 2020 election, now-President Joe Biden won the 2nd District by approximately 6 points, following Trump's narrow 2-point victory in 2016.
“Given everything at stake for Nebraska and our country, we have left every inch on the field to get this done,” Pillen stated. “Unfortunately, we could not persuade 33 state senators.”
Pillen has indicated he would refrain from calling a special session until he could ensure sufficient support for the transition to a winner-takes-all model.
On Monday, GOP state Senator Mike McDonnell expressed his opposition to the change, posing a setback to Trump's supporters. Earlier this year, McDonnell switched his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican and is anticipated to run for mayor of Omaha next year, which means that endorsing the electoral vote shift could be politically disadvantageous.
In a statement, McDonnell suggested supporting a constitutional amendment in the next legislative session to allow voters to decide on the proposed change.
Trump reacted negatively to McDonnell’s stance, labeling him a “grandstander” and referencing Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, whom McDonnell would challenge if he pursues the mayoral position. Pillen also described McDonnell’s position as “profoundly disappointing.”
Nebraska Republicans have long sought to change the state's method of distributing electoral votes, yet they failed to achieve this before the conclusion of the legislative session earlier this year. Recent efforts have intensified, with Senator Lindsey Graham meeting with Pillen and state legislators to advocate for the change ahead of the upcoming Election Day.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
