Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) is urging his fellow Republicans within the state legislature to pass a newly introduced bill that would switch the state to a “winner-take-all” system for Electoral College votes like most states use.
L.B. 764 was introduced as a measure to change how the state operates in presidential elections. Right now, Nebraska uses a split system that awards Electoral College votes by congressional districts — a method only employed by Nebraska and Maine.
While many people will claim that the system carries advantages, there are clear disadvantages and questions of fairness with just two states operating on the system.
As Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk explained, this system has consistently assisted Democrats in earning a vote they otherwise would not have been awarded. The city of Omaha is nearly entirely responsible for an extra blue vote cast in elections, not the entirety of Nebraska.
Suppose Donald Trump flips Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada next fall, as current polls all show him doing. Would he win the presidency? Not quite. In fact, if Trump flips those three states and no others, he loses by exactly ONE electoral vote.
Why? Nebraska.
Despite being one of…
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 2, 2024
Perhaps if all of the nation operated on the system, it wouldn’t provide an advantage to Democrats. But as Kirk points out, neither California nor New York would ever give any advantage to Republicans.
Gov. Pillen is keenly aware of this flaw as he attempts to rally his party to bring a change that is long overdue in the Cornhusker State.
“I am a strong supporter of Senator Lippincott’s winner-take-all bill (LB764) and have been from that start,” he said in a statement. “It would bring Nebraska into line with 48 of our fellow states, better reflect the founders’ intent, and ensure our state speaks with one unified voice in presidential elections.”
Statement today on LB 764 — Winner-Take-All pic.twitter.com/g8KLOtATYo
— Governor Jim Pillen (@TeamPillen) April 2, 2024
“I call upon fellow Republicans in the Legislature to pass this bill to my desk so I can sign it into law.”
With the strong Republican majority in its state legislature, LB764 will likely manage to pass. There are 32 Republicans to only 16 Democrats with a single Independent, just shy of a supermajority.
The 2024 election is shaping up to be an extremely tight race, as current polling puts former President Trump at a slight lead over President Joe Biden. Every single Electoral College vote may be critical
