State Sen. Mike McDonnell, a Democrat-turned-Republican from Nebraska, stated that he will not support changing the state’s electoral vote process to winner-take-all, which would require a critical vote to implement the change.
In a statement on Monday, McDonnell emphasized the importance of ensuring that all voters have a voice in elections, regardless of their party affiliation or location. He highlighted that Nebraska’s current system of allocating five electoral votes has upheld this principle for decades.
After carefully considering input from Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue, McDonnell concluded that making such a significant change just 43 days before Election Day is not appropriate. He suggested that instead of pursuing the change through legislative means, Republicans should seek a referendum for a proposed constitutional amendment, allowing voters to have a final say on the matter.
“Nebraska voters, not politicians of either party, should have the ultimate decision on how we select a president,” McDonnell emphasized.
Nebraska and Maine are the only states that do not follow a winner-take-all system for electoral votes. In Nebraska, two electoral votes are allocated based on the state’s popular vote, while the remaining three are awarded to the winners of each congressional district.
Despite efforts by some Republicans to change the system, McDonnell’s stance prevents the necessary votes to overcome a filibuster. Unless a Democrat or another senator changes position, the filibuster remains intact.
Former President Donald Trump has voiced support for the change in Nebraska but has not advocated for a similar adjustment in Maine. Trump believes that reverting to a winner-take-all system aligns with the intentions of the Founding Fathers and is the right choice for Nebraska.
In Maine, where Democrats hold the majority but lack a supermajority, it is unlikely that Republicans would assist in altering the current electoral college system, as it typically favors Republican candidates.
