A key Republican state senator in Nebraska has dealt a significant blow to efforts aimed at altering the state's electoral vote allocation system before the upcoming presidential election.
According to ABC News, State Sen. Mike McDonnell announced his opposition to changing Nebraska's electoral process to a winner-take-all system prior to the November election.
McDonnell, whose vote was crucial for breaking a potential filibuster, stated that he would not support altering the electoral process so close to Election Day. Instead, he suggested that the legislature should address this issue in the next legislative session, tentatively scheduled to begin in early January 2025.
The push to change Nebraska's electoral vote allocation system had been gaining momentum among Republicans, with former President Trump actively supporting the initiative. The proposed change would have switched the state from its current system, which allows for split electoral votes, to a winner-take-all model.
Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood, speaking to ABC News, emphasized the significance of the issue, noting that Trump's direct involvement "underscores how big of a deal this is." Flood, along with the rest of Nebraska's federal delegation, has been advocating for the change.
The potential impact of this change on the upcoming presidential election was considerable. If implemented, it would have ensured that all five of Nebraska's electoral votes would go to a single candidate rather than being divided as they were in the 2020 election when President Biden secured one electoral vote from the state's 2nd district.
The proposed electoral system change in Nebraska held particular importance for the 2024 presidential race. Without the ability to gain an electoral vote from Nebraska's 2nd district, Vice President Kamala Harris would face a more challenging path to victory, even if securing the "blue wall" states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
Rep. Flood highlighted the potential significance of Nebraska in the upcoming election, stating, "It is amazing to think that could come down to Nebraska, but I think the math and the reality is that it very well may be true."
The decision by State Sen. McDonnell to oppose the change has effectively put a halt to these efforts, at least for the current election cycle. His statement emphasized the need for careful consideration and proper timing when making such significant changes to the electoral process.
Former President Trump responded to the developments in Nebraska through a social media post. While thanking Governor Jim Pillen for his efforts to "simplify the complexity" of the state's electoral map, Trump criticized McDonnell's decision, referring to him as a "Grandstander."
State Sen. McDonnell explained his position in a statement:
I have notified Governor Pillen that I will not change my long-held position and will oppose any attempted changes to our electoral college system before the 2024 election. I also encouraged him and will encourage my colleagues in the Unicameral to pass a constitutional amendment during next year's session, so that the people of Nebraska can once and for all decide this issue the way it should be decided -- on the ballot.
Governor Pillen had previously stated that he would not call a special session unless Republican legislators could demonstrate they had the 33 votes needed to break an expected Democratic filibuster. With McDonnell's decision, it appears unlikely that the required votes will be secured in time for the 2024 election.
In conclusion, the effort to change Nebraska's electoral vote process has hit a significant roadblock with State Sen. McDonnell's opposition. This decision effectively prevents the implementation of a winner-take-all system before the November election. The proposed change, which garnered support from prominent Republicans, including former President Trump, will likely be postponed for consideration in the next legislative session.
