‘It’s Over’: Neb. GOP Concedes Defeat On Electoral Vote Plan | EUROtoday

Republicans on Monday conceded defeat of their push to alter how the state of Nebraska counts its electoral votes as a method 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.) instructed 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 alter their electoral guidelines simply weeks earlier than the November presidential election in order that the state’s 5 electoral votes would possible all go to Trump as a substitute of permitting one to go to the Democratic candidate based mostly on how Nebraskans vote. Nebraska and Maine are the one states that don’t observe a winner-take-all components.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a high Trump ally on Capitol Hill, even traveled to Nebraska to induce lawmakers to help 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. Recent polling of the district reveals the Democratic nominee, Vice President Harris, with an analogous lead over Trump.

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

Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) known as the shortage of help 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.