Nebraska GOP Gov. Jim Pillen has announced that he will not call a special legislative session to change how the state allocates its electoral votes. This decision has dashed Republican hopes of switching to a winner-take-all system before the November election, as former President Donald Trump and his allies had been pushing for. Currently, Nebraska awards its electoral votes by congressional district, with three votes going to the winner of each district and two going to the overall state winner. Pillen stated that Republicans lack the 33 votes needed to overcome a filibuster in the unicameral legislature, and he will not call a special session before the 2024 election. This decision comes after GOP state Sen. Mike McDonnell confirmed he would not support the move close to Election Day. In the 2020 election, President Joe Biden won Nebraska’s 2nd District, which could be crucial in a close election. Trump and his allies had been advocating for a winner-take-all system in hopes of securing all of Nebraska’s electoral votes. However, with Pillen’s announcement, it is unclear whether Trump will continue to invest resources in the state. Democrats have significantly outspent Republicans on ads in Nebraska, with Vice President Kamala Harris leading the Democratic campaign efforts. GOP Rep. Don Bacon believes that Trump could win the 2nd District’s electoral vote by focusing on key issues such as the cost of living and immigration.
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Nebraska Governor Deals Blow to Trump by Refusing to Call Special Session for Changing Electoral Votes
