Nebraska is making waves again as it tries to pull off a political power play, eyeing a shift to the winner-takes-all electoral vote system. Governor Jim Pillen and Senator Lindsey Graham got cozy with over 20 Republican state senators, pushing for this change. And why wouldn’t they? After all, in a race as close as 2024 promises to be, every single electoral vote counts—especially when you’re hoping to sneak in an extra one for Donald Trump.
For those unfamiliar, Nebraska and Maine are the outliers in the electoral system. They don’t play by the traditional winner-take-all rules like the rest of the country. Instead, Nebraska gives two electoral votes based on the statewide winner, with the remaining three divvied up according to who wins each of the state’s three congressional districts. Sounds complicated, right? That’s because it is—and Republicans are growing tired of it, especially when Democrats keep finding ways to snatch votes out from under them.
In fact, Nebraska’s been busy these past few months trying to secure that precious extra vote for Trump, the former president who’s looking to make a comeback. That one electoral vote might just tip the scales in what’s shaping up to be a nail-biter of an election. You’d think the Democrats would be racing to stop this, but Maine Democrats, bless their hearts, missed the deadline to do anything about it. Typical.
Lindsey Graham didn’t mince words when it came to the importance of the change. “I want the law changed,” he said, making it crystal clear. He even went so far as to personally appeal to the Nebraska lawmakers, telling them just how crucial that one electoral vote could be. But hey, no pressure, right? Just the fate of the nation resting on their decision.
As if the stakes weren’t high enough, Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, home to Omaha, has long been a thorn in the side of the GOP. It’s the one slice of Nebraska that dares to lean blue, having gone to Obama in 2008 and Biden in 2020. If they don’t change the rules and the 2024 election plays out like some strategists predict—Harris taking Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, and Trump winning key states like Arizona and Georgia—we’re looking at a 269-269 tie. But if Omaha goes blue again? Well, Democrats can waltz right into the White House with a slim 270-268 victory. No wonder Republicans are scrambling for that winner-take-all system. Every vote really does matter.
