Nebraska state Sen. Mike McDonnell, who recently switched from the Democratic to the Republican party, has announced that he will not support changing Nebraska’s electoral vote process to a winner-take-all system. This decision is crucial as it denies the critical vote needed to implement the proposed change.
In a statement on Monday, McDonnell emphasized that elections should provide an opportunity for all voters to be heard, regardless of their identity, location, or party affiliation. He believes that Nebraska’s current allocation of its five electoral votes has upheld this principle for many years.
After carefully listening to Nebraskans and national leaders from both sides of the issue, McDonnell concluded that now is not the right time—only 43 days away from Election Day—to make this change. He shared his stance with Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and suggested that Republicans pursuing this change should consider a referendum as a proposed constitutional amendment. This way, voters can have the final say on the matter through a ballot initiative.
Nebraska and Maine are currently the only states that do not use a winner-take-all system for electoral votes. In Nebraska, two out of five electoral votes go to the candidate who wins the statewide popular vote, while three are awarded based on each congressional district’s winner.
Although Nebraska generally leans Republican in presidential elections, its Second Congressional District—which includes Omaha—has occasionally swung Democratic in recent years. This single electoral vote has been referred to as the “blue dot” and could play a significant role in Vice President Kamala Harris’s path to winning if she secures Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin but needs one more vote in case of an Electoral College tie.
Governor Pillen had previously pledged to call a special session if he could secure 33 Senate votes needed to overcome filibuster opposition and switch Nebraska’s system. However, with McDonnell sticking with maintaining status quo and no public support from Democrats or independent Senator Megan Hunt so far for changing it either; Republicans currently have no viable path forward unless there is defection within their ranks.
Former President Donald Trump has been urging Nebraska lawmakers over recent months to push through this measure since most Nebraskans have desired returning back to this system like other states do; however he hasn’t made similar efforts regarding Maine’s electoral vote formula which granted him one vote in 2020.
In Maine where Democrats control both chambers but lack supermajority power in lower chamber; it seems unlikely Republicans would assist Democrats in doing away with current Electoral College system which tends favoring GOP candidates.
