Republicans have been dealt a serious blow of their efforts to overtake Nebraska’s Electoral School system, a transfer that might have in the end price Vice President Harris a important vote in November.
State Sen. Mike McDonnell (R), seen as the important thing determine in figuring out whether or not Republicans would have sufficient help to maneuver ahead, got here out towards the hassle in an announcement Monday, all however dashing his get together’s hopes of switching to a winner-takes-all system within 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 stated in an announcement. “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 just about definitely would have added an electoral vote to former President Trump’s tally. That single vote might have been important, since one believable path within the presidential contest would see Harris touchdown on precisely 270 electoral votes.
That situation revolves round Harris carrying all the states President Biden gained in 2020, with the exceptions of Arizona, Georgia and Nevada. That would depart Harris with 269 electoral votes and Trump with 268. Harris would get to 270, sufficient to win the White Home, 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 attempt to persuade lawmakers to vote in favor of the change.
Gov. Jim Pillen (R) held a gathering with state senators and Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen (R) final week, based on the Nebraska Examiner. Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) additionally attended the assembly and has voiced his help for the hassle.
However McDonnell on Monday stated he had informed 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 within the Legislature subsequent yr to move a constitutional modification to change the rule, which might then go earlier than 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 stated.
Nebraska is uncommon in that it splits its 5 electoral votes, handing out three based mostly on the efficiency of every candidate within the state’s three congressional districts. One other two votes are awarded to whichever candidate outright wins the state. Maine is the opposite state that awards its electoral votes this fashion, doling out a complete of 4 votes.
Efforts to move an overhaul of the system already failed earlier this yr. However the renewed concentrate on switching to a winner-takes-all system comes as Harris seems to be heading into November with a slight benefit over Trump. Stopping Democrats from securing that single electoral vote in Nebraska might in the end swing the race for the previous president.
A tie vote within the Electoral School would swing the competition to a Home vote based mostly on the vast majority of every state delegation. Republicans are virtually sure to carry a majority in that contest.
“There is a mathematical universe in the upcoming 2024 presidential election where one electoral vote could be meaningful,” stated Kevin Smith, a political science professor on the College of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Polling in Nebraska’s 2nd District has been restricted, however the Harris marketing campaign is nearly definitely relying on successful that delegate, stated Drew McCoy, president of Choice Desk HQ.
Democrats expressed aid on the information.
“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 earlier than McDonnell’s assertion, Democrats within the state had been skeptical that the change would occur.
Vince Powers, a Lincoln-based legal professional and former Democratic state get together chair, stated he “cannot imagine” an Omaha-area lawmaker would vote to eliminate the break up vote as Democrats rally help within the so-called blue dot.
He additionally famous skepticism that the race will in the end hinge on the 2nd District.
“Each 4 years, there is a situation the place folks get out the map and say, ‘Look, this could be vote number 270,’ and it isn’t going to occur,” Powers stated.
Different Democrats noticed the transfer 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,” stated Nebraska-based marketing consultant Brent Comstock, who works primarily with Democrats within the state, earlier than McDonnell got here out publicly towards it.
Nebraska was not the one state the place adjustments had been being mulled. Final week, three Trump-aligned members of the Georgia State Election Board voted to require ballots to be hand-counted within the important swing state, regardless of issues raised by state officers and election employees over the legality of such a transfer and logistical challenges weeks earlier than 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,” stated Democratic strategist Mike Lux.
Up to date at 2:49 p.m. EDT
