‘It is Over’: Republicans Concede Defeat In Bid To Change Nebraska Voting Guidelines

Republicans on Monday conceded defeat of their push to vary how the state of Nebraska counts its electoral votes as a approach to assist Donald Trump beat Kamala Harris in November.

“Our governor had considered a special session of the legislature in order to make that change, but the votes aren’t there to do it,” U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) informed reporters on Monday after a key Republican within the Nebraska Legislature introduced his opposition.

“It’s over,” she mentioned.

Trump and Republican members of Congress final week urged Nebraska Republicans to vary their electoral guidelines simply weeks earlier than the November presidential election in order that the state’s 5 electoral votes would doubtless all go to Trump as a substitute of permitting one to go to the Democratic candidate primarily based on how Nebraskans vote. Nebraska and Maine are the one states that don’t comply with a winner-take-all formulation.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a prime Trump ally on Capitol Hill, even traveled to Nebraska to induce lawmakers to assist the change, however the effort appeared to stall out after state Sen. Mike McDonnell (R) balked, denying proponents a filibuster-proof majority within the legislature.

“I have taken time to listen carefully to Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue,” McDonnell mentioned in an announcement on Monday. “After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.”

The state’s 2nd Congressional District, together with Omaha and its suburbs, has swung towards Democrats since Trump was elected in 2016. In 2020, President Joe Biden received the district and its one electoral vote by 6.5 proportion factors. Latest polling of the district reveals the Democratic nominee, Vice President Harris, with an analogous lead over Trump.

Altering the best way Nebraska awards electoral votes may doubtlessly have a serious impact on the presidential race. If Trump receives a further electoral vote, as he doubtless would in a winner-take-all allocation, Harris would wish to brush within the Rust Belt states (Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania) in addition to carry a further Solar Belt state (Arizona, Georgia, Nevada or North Carolina) to keep away from a tied election.

Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) referred to as the shortage of assist for the voting change “disappointing.”

“I’ll have to talk to the senator to see if he can change his mind, but until he does we don’t have the votes,” he added on Monday.