Republicans Intensify Efforts to Alter Nebraska’s Electoral Process for Trump

Republicans are intensifying their efforts to revise the electoral vote system in Nebraska to a winner-take-all model. This change could significantly influence the outcome for former President Donald Trump in the forthcoming close election in November, where each vote counts towards the Electoral College tally.

If Nebraska adopts the winner-take-all method, it would mean that all five of its electoral votes would be awarded entirely to Trump, potentially sidelining Kamala Harris, who previously split the electoral votes with Trump in 2020. During that election, President Joe Biden managed to win the 2nd District, home to Omaha, a Democratic stronghold.

Trump’s support for this system has been vocal since April, as pressure mounts from state lawmakers and national GOP figures to push for this change. However, amending Nebraska’s electoral process isn’t a straightforward task.

To initiate the change, Governor Jim Pillen, a Republican, must call a special legislative session. He has expressed that he will only convene this session if GOP legislators can demonstrate they have the 33 votes necessary to overcome an anticipated Democratic filibuster.

State Senator Tom Berwer has indicated that there is skepticism regarding the number of votes in support, estimating that the GOP may fall short with only 30 or 31 votes. In response, Trump ally and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has stepped in. He recently traveled to Nebraska to engage with key stakeholders.

Graham expressed his views during his visit, stating, “I went and talked to some senators as the Governor. Senator [Pete] Ricketts and the Governor asked me to come out and to the caucus. Trump’s going to win the state by 20 points.” He elaborated on the potential implications of the election and reaffirmed his hope that Nebraska would adopt the winner-take-all system.

Moreover, Ricketts publicly supported Graham’s mission, emphasizing his belief that the Senator effectively advocates for this change. On Thursday, Ricketts remarked, “I think Senator Graham is a great spokesperson for it, he is very savvy about why we need to make sure that all of our voters have an opportunity to have their voices heard on what the other states are doing.”

All five members of Nebraska’s Republican federal delegation united on Wednesday night, penning a letter in favor of the proposed electoral change. The letter included signatures from GOP Representatives Mike Flood, Don Bacon, Adrian Smith, along with Senators Deb Fischer and Ricketts. They championed a unified approach for Nebraska in presidential elections.

In their correspondence, they underscored, “We need a President that will represent all of us, from Omaha to Scottsbluff and everywhere in-between.” They argued that the state should project a singular voice in national elections, much like how Senators and Governors are elected to serve all Nebraskans collectively.

Kate Heltzel, a spokesperson for the Nebraska legislature, outlined the steps necessary for this change to be enacted. A senator would need to introduce a bill once the special session is aimed. Following introduction, the bill would be sent to the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee for public hearings and further deliberation. Should the committee advance the bill, it would then face three rounds of debate on the legislative floor before final approval.

Some insiders have suggested that former President Trump himself may begin to engage in lobbying efforts regarding this matter, though an official response from his campaign is still pending.

If Governor Pillen does call a special session and the GOP successfully navigates the legislative hurdles, the changes could be implemented promptly. Nebraska’s deputy secretary of state, Cindi Allen, indicated that if the legislature approves the winner-take-all system before the election, it would go into effect without legal challenges.

This timeline includes events before early voting begins on October 7, meaning the legislature could potentially implement this significant change a mere few days before the election, around November 2 or 3. However, Heltzel also noted a gray area in legal interpretation, with arguments for and against the timing of such a change after early voting commences.

As discussions evolve, the situation remains fluid with potential for last-minute developments in Nebraska’s electoral process.

Source: ABC News