Nebraska Gov. Pillen endorses bid to restore winner-take-all system in presidential elections

Nebraska GOP Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday endorsed legislation that would impose a "winner-take-all" system of allocating the state's electoral votes in presidential elections.

The state currently allocates its votes by congressional district, leaving open the possibility that Democrats may notch at least one electoral vote in the deep red due to the purple status of the 2nd District. State Republican Sen. Loren Lippincott introduced the legislation in January.

"I am a strong supporter of Senator Lippincott's winner-take-all (LB 764) and have been from the start," Pillen 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."

"I call upon fellow Republicans in the Legislature to pass this bill to my desk so I can sign it into law," he concluded.

Former President Donald Trump hailed the governor’s action. “A very smart letter from Governor Jim Pillen of Nebraska!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. 

Such a change could prove pivotal in a narrow presidential contest as it would potentially result in the securing of an additional electoral vote for the Republican candidate. 

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.