Mon Sep 23 22:16:06 UTC 2024: ## Nebraska’s Winner-Take-All Electoral Vote Proposal Stalls, Leaving Trump’s Path to Victory Uncertain

**LINCOLN, NEBRASKA** – A Republican-backed attempt to shift Nebraska’s Electoral College system to a winner-take-all format, potentially aiding Donald Trump’s presidential bid, has hit a major snag. Key Republican lawmaker Mike McDonnell has publicly declared his opposition to the proposal, effectively killing its chances of passing before the November 5 election.

The proposal, which aimed to award all five of Nebraska’s Electoral College votes to the statewide winner, needed 33 out of 49 votes in the state legislature. With Republicans holding exactly 33 seats, a single defection is enough to derail the plan, and McDonnell’s opposition has made the outcome certain.

Nebraska currently splits its electoral votes by congressional district, with one vote allocated to each of its three districts and two at-large votes awarded to the statewide winner. This system has given Democrats a chance to win one electoral vote in the Omaha-based 2nd congressional district, where Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s opponent in the election, is currently favored.

The proposed change has been seen as a strategic maneuver by the Trump camp, as it could potentially swing the state’s five electoral votes in his favor. Trump’s allies, including Senator Lindsey Graham, had been actively lobbying Nebraska lawmakers to support the change.

The election is expected to be incredibly close, with every single electoral vote potentially crucial. While Trump won all five of Nebraska’s electoral votes in 2016, Democrat Joe Biden secured the 2nd district’s vote in 2020.

While McDonnell has expressed opposition to changing the system before the 2024 election, he has suggested putting the issue on the ballot for voter consideration in 2025. This move, however, won’t have any impact on the upcoming election.

The outcome of this battle over Nebraska’s electoral votes highlights the intense focus on key swing states and the potential for even seemingly minor changes to impact the final result.

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