Why are Republicans trying to change Nebraska’s Electoral College vote?

Most states operate on a “winner-take-all” system for Electoral College votes. Not Nebraska. Three of the Cornhusker State’s five electoral votes are allocated among its three congressional districts. So even though Republicans tend to win the statewide popular vote, NBC News said, the “competitive 2nd District” centered in Omaha can sometimes give its vote to a Democrat. That happened in 2020, with President Joe Biden. Now Republicans are trying to change that ahead of the 2024 election.

GOP lawmakers in Nebraska are now trying to shift to a winner-take-all system, USA Today said, at the “urging of former President Donald Trump.” The calculation here is clear: “With Trump and Biden in a dead heat in general election polls,” the race for the presidency could come down to a single Electoral College vote. Indeed, it could come down to Omaha. So far, though, the Trump-backed effort has faltered, with Republicans failing to muster enough votes in the legislature to pass the measure.

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