Senator Pushes Controversial Change in Nebraska’s Electoral College Voting

Blue ballot box labeled "Electoral College" with flag.

Senator Lindsey Graham’s push for Nebraska to adopt a winner-takes-all Electoral College system could dramatically alter the 2024 presidential race.

At a Glance

Graham estimates a “50/50” chance of Nebraska changing its Electoral College vote distribution before November’s election
Nebraska currently allocates its five Electoral College votes by congressional district winners and statewide popular vote
A change to winner-takes-all could potentially lead to a 269-269 Electoral College tie between Trump and Harris
Governor Jim Pillen would call a special session to vote on the change if he secures enough support
The Nebraska Democratic Party opposes out-of-state influence and supports maintaining the current system

Graham’s Push for Electoral Change

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has recently advocated for Nebraska to adopt a winner-takes-all Electoral College system, a move that could significantly impact the 2024 presidential election. Graham, a known ally of former President Donald Trump, met with Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Republican legislators to discuss this potential change in the state’s electoral vote allocation.

Graham described the chances of Nebraska changing its system before November’s election as “50/50.” This push comes as part of a broader Republican strategy to secure additional electoral votes in what is expected to be a tight race between former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Current System and Proposed Change

Nebraska, along with Maine, is one of only two states that do not use a winner-takes-all system for allocating Electoral College votes. Currently, Nebraska distributes its five electoral votes based on congressional district winners and the statewide popular vote winner. This system has been in place since 1992.

“As I have consistently made clear, I strongly support statewide unity and joining 48 other states by awarding all five of our electoral college votes to the presidential candidate who wins the majority of Nebraskans’ votes,” Pillen said in a statement last week. “As I have also made clear, I am willing to convene the Legislature for a special session to fix this 30-year-old problem before the 2024 election.”

The proposed change to a winner-takes-all system would award all of Nebraska’s electoral votes to the candidate who wins the state’s popular vote. This could potentially give Trump an additional electoral vote in a close race, as the Omaha district has often gone to Democrats in recent elections.

Potential Impact on 2024 Election

The implications of this change could be far-reaching. Graham emphasized the critical nature of this single electoral vote, stating, “To my friends in Nebraska, that one electoral vote could be the difference between Harris being president or not, and she’s a disaster for Nebraska and the world.” In a scenario where Harris secures 270 Electoral College votes by winning Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, a winner-takes-all system in Nebraska could lead to a 269-269 tie if Trump wins certain swing states.

“I hope the people in Nebraska will understand this may come down to a single electoral vote,” Sen. Lindsey Graham said in Washington Thursday.

In the event of an Electoral College tie, the decision would fall to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, potentially tipping the scales in favor of the Republican candidate. This underscores the significance of Nebraska’s five electoral votes in what is shaping up to be a closely contested election.

Political Reactions and Opposition

While Nebraska’s five Republican congressional representatives support the change, it has faced opposition from various quarters. Nebraska State Senator Mike McDonnell has expressed his opposition to the switch. The Nebraska Democratic Party has also voiced concerns, criticizing out-of-state influence and advocating for maintaining the current system.

“Senator McDonnell has heard a lot of compelling arguments for and against, but as of right now he still remains a no vote,” McDonnell spokesman Barry Rubin said Friday, per the Times. “The only way he would think about switching would be if someone gave him a compelling reason for why it made sense on the merits of the winner-take-all situation.”

Governor Pillen has indicated his willingness to call a special session to vote on the change if he secures enough support. However, he has not yet received confirmation that 33 state senators would support the change, which is necessary to move forward with the special session.

As the debate continues, the outcome of this proposed change could have significant implications for the 2024 presidential election, potentially altering the electoral landscape and intensifying the focus on Nebraska’s role in determining the next President of the United States.