Lindsey Graham Pushes for Winner-Take-All Electoral Vote System in Nebraska to Aid Trump 2024 Campaign

I don't know who this is, man in suit with thumbs up.

Senator Lindsey Graham’s push for a winner-take-all electoral vote system in Nebraska could tip the scales in Trump’s favor for 2024.

At a Glance

Sen. Lindsey Graham met with Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen to discuss changing the state’s electoral vote allocation
Nebraska currently allocates electoral votes by congressional district, with the Omaha district often favoring Democrats
A switch to winner-take-all could give Trump an extra electoral vote in a tight presidential race
Gov. Pillen is receptive but needs legislative support to call a special session
The change could face legal challenges if implemented close to the election

Graham’s Strategic Move for Trump

In a calculated political maneuver, Senator Lindsey Graham has engaged Nebraska’s Governor Jim Pillen and Republican lawmakers in discussions about altering the state’s electoral vote allocation system. The proposed change, a shift from the current district-based approach to a winner-take-all method, is designed to bolster Donald Trump’s chances in the 2024 presidential election.

Nebraska’s unique system currently allows for split electoral votes, with the Omaha district often favoring Democratic candidates. This nuance has caught the attention of the Trump campaign, prompting Graham’s visit on their behalf to push for a special legislative session to implement the change.

I have an ominous sense that Nebraska will try to switch to winner-take-all at the last minute so Maine doesn’t have time to react. There’s really no reason for Maine to wait, they can do it first https://t.co/g8fIzHeKcF

— Dan Amira (@DanAmira) September 19, 2024

The Stakes for 2024

The significance of this proposed change cannot be overstated. In a close presidential race, a single electoral vote from Nebraska could prove decisive. Governor Pillen has shown receptiveness to the idea, aligning with Trump’s public statements supporting the switch to a winner-take-all system.

“As I have consistently made clear, I strongly support statewide unity and joining 48 other states by awarding all five of our electoral college votes to the presidential candidate who wins the majority of Nebraskans’ votes,” Pillen said in a statement last week. “As I have also made clear, I am willing to convene the Legislature for a special session to fix this 30-year-old problem before the 2024 election.”

However, the path to implementation is not without obstacles. Governor Pillen requires firm commitments from 33 state senators before calling a special session, a threshold that has not yet been reached.

Political Maneuvering and Opposition

The push for this change has sparked intense political debate. Jane Kleeb, Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, has accused Republicans of bullying legislators and dismissed the effort as “political theater for Trump.” The Trump campaign’s strategy involves applying local pressure to persuade holdout senators, with the state’s all-GOP congressional delegation lending their support to the switch.

“Republicans are bullying legislators,” said Kleeb, who had tried to keep McDonnell in her party. “They do not have the votes, and this is all political theater for Trump.”

The proposed change faces additional hurdles, including potential legal challenges. With early voting in Nebraska starting on October 7, concerns have been raised about altering election rules after the voting process has begun. The Secretary of State’s office has noted that such a change has not been tested in courts and could face legal scrutiny.

Sen Graham missed Senate votes in DC today, and here's why: He was visiting Nebraska on behalf of Trump campaign to push for an electoral vote change that could make a big difference in November.

w/ @GarrettHaake, @OSonnier & @megan_lebowitz: https://t.co/b5TXzwE7Ep

— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) September 19, 2024

National Implications

The outcome of this Nebraska initiative could have ripple effects beyond the state’s borders. Maine, the only other state with a similar district-based system, is reportedly considering a switch to winner-take-all if Nebraska makes the change. This domino effect could further reshape the electoral landscape heading into the 2024 presidential election.

As the political chess game unfolds, all eyes are on Nebraska’s legislature. The decision they make could very well influence the course of the upcoming presidential election, underscoring the critical importance of every electoral vote in America’s complex political system.