Nebraska Republican opposes Trump-backed plan to change how the state awards electoral votes

A Nebraska state Republican on Monday appeared to put a nail in the coffin for former President Donald Trump's attempt to change how the state awards its electoral college votes.

Nebraska is one of two states that currently awards the votes based on Congressional districts, instead of winner-take-all. However, Trump and his allies are hoping to change the method to winner-take-all so he would win all five of the state's electoral college points instead of the predicted four. Omaha usually votes Democrat.

Republican state Sen. Mike McDonnell released a statement opposing a potential change in the method for this election cycle, which is expected to end the attempt after Republican Gov. Jim Pillen said he would need the support of all 33 GOP state senators in order to call for a special session.

“Elections should be an opportunity for all voters to be heard, no matter who they are, where they live, or what party they support,” McDonnell said in a statement reported by the Nebraska Examiner. “After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.”

McDonnell said he suggested to Pillen that the state legislature send the topic of changing the electoral votes to the people of Nebraska through a constitutional amendment. 

The Republican resides in the second district in Nebraska, which is based in Omaha. The district is the one that has split from the other four Congressional districts in two of the four previous elections. Trump won the district in 2016, but lost it to President Joe Biden in 2020. The district also voted Republican in 2012, but Democrat in 2008.

Nebraska Democrats celebrated McDonnell's statement, praising him for "standing strong against tremendous pressure from out-of-state interests to protect Nebraskans’ voice in our democracy," according to NBC News.

“Nebraska has a long and proud tradition of independence, and our electoral system reflects that by ensuring that the outcome of our elections truly represents the will of the people without interference," Nebraska Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb said. "In this election and those to come, Nebraskans will continue to lead the way by electing leaders at every level who stand up for the people and respect our spirit of independence."

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.