A group of anti-Trump Republicans in Nebraska on Monday announced an advertising blitz against a potential change to the state’s electoral vote count, which, if passed, could give the former president additional electoral votes. There is.
Efforts to transform Nebraska from a divided district into a “winner-takes-all” state are led by Trump, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen (R), Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and others. Supported. The state’s unicameral Legislature rejected it in a key vote last week, but the issue could still be pursued in a special session later this year.
Defending Democracy Together, founded in 2019 by a group of prominent anti-Trump Republicans, said changes to the electoral system would weaken states’ voting power.
“Nebraskas are proud to exercise their right to vote to make the voices of their congressional districts heard,” spokesperson Gunner Lamar said in a statement.
“Our democracy is better when voters feel that their presidential vote really matters. That’s what makes Nebraska’s current system so strong. Sen. Lincoln must uphold its democratic principles.”
Only Nebraska and Maine split their Electoral College votes. In most presidential elections, Republicans easily win Nebraska’s two districts, but the 2nd District, comprised of Omaha and its suburbs, is a close contest, with two of the past four elections going to the blues. It becomes. The state’s remaining two electoral votes go to the winner of the popular vote, usually the Republican candidate.
If the bill goes into effect for the 2024 election, President Biden could lose electoral votes. Trump won about 58% of the vote in Nebraska in 2020, meaning the Republican candidate is likely to win all of the state’s electoral votes in a winner-take-all system.
Defending Democracy Together will run digital ads throughout the state’s 2nd Congressional District, encouraging voters to contact their state legislators about the issue and encourage opposition, the paper said.
The change to the electoral vote count was rejected in a procedural vote last week and was likely to pass. Congress adjourned last weekend, so a special session will be needed to pass the bill before the 2024 election.
The bill’s defeat split the Nebraska Republican Party, pitting conservative activists against some moderate lawmakers who opposed the bill.
Every registered Republican in the bipartisan Congress would need to support the bill to get enough votes to avoid a filibuster. Several Republican lawmakers have publicly stated that they will not consider changing the electoral system before the 2024 election.
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