Bill looking to reinstate ‘winner-take-all’ system in Nebraska fails in legislature

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - A bill looking to end Nebraska’s current Electoral College voting allocation system failed in the legislature Wednesday night.

Legislative Bill 764, introduced by Senator Loren Lippincott, would reinstate the “winner-take-all” system for electing presidential and vice-presidential candidates, awarding all electoral votes to the candidates who receive the highest number of votes in the state.

Sen. Julie Slama of Sterling on Wednesday attached it as an amendment to LB1300, giving it more of a chance to make it through one of the last two days of a very tight session.

But the effort failed, as Sen. Slama gathered only eight of the 23 needed votes.

Currently, Nebraska and Maine are the only states that split their electoral votes by congressional district, and have done so in recent presidential elections, the AP reported.

The Nebraska Legislature voted in 1991 to get rid of the “winner-take-all” model of allocating their electoral votes to give the state a unique voice in presidential elections.

It wasn’t until 2008 when Nebraska split its electoral votes for the first time. Barack Obama captured one vote from the 2nd congressional district in Omaha on his way to the presidency, the AP said.

LB 764′s push is not the first time that Nebraska Republican legislators have tried to reinstate the “winner-take-all” system.

In 2016, Nebraska’s Republican lawmakers were just one vote shy of the required votes to keep the bill from dying.

Gov. Pillen voiced his support for the bill, urging senators to “pass this bill to my desk” so he can sign it into law.

“I am a strong supporter of Senator Lippincott’s winner-take-all bill (LB 764) and have been from the start. It would bring Nebraska into line with 48 of our fellow states, better reflect the founders’ intent, and ensure our state speaks with one unified voice in presidential elections,” Gov. Pillen said. “I call upon fellow Republicans in the Legislature to pass this bill to my desk so I can sign it into law.”

Sen. Ricketts, another outspoken advocate of LB 764, urged Republicans in the Nebraska Unicameral to take up the “winner-take-all” electoral system ahead of the 2024 election.

“This timing heading into a Presidential election is an awesome opportunity for Governor Jim Pillen to mobilize our Republican majority to a winner-take-all system and put one more electoral vote in the Republican column for 2024!” Ricketts said.

In 2020, President Joe Biden won the popular vote in the Omaha area’s 2nd Congressional District, costing Trump one of the five Nebraska electoral votes.

Trump backed Gov. Pillen’s efforts on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday.

“Governor Jim Pillen of Nebraska, a very smart and popular Governor, who has done some really great things, came out today with a very strong letter in support of returning Nebraska’s Electoral Votes to a Winner-Take-All System,” he said. “Most Nebraskans have wanted to go back to this system for a very long time, because it’s what 48 other States do - It’s what the Founders intended, and it’s right for Nebraska. Thank you Governor for your bold leadership. Let’s hope the Senate does the right thing. Nebraskans, respectfully ask your Senators to support this Great Bill!”

The recent push on LB 764 has drawn concerns from some Nebraska organizations, including the Nebraska Democratic Party.

“Nebraskans want to keep our fair electoral system in place which is why previous attempts by some Republicans over the last thirty years have failed to undo our split electoral votes. We are proud of our unique electoral vote system and know all too well the economic benefits it generates with a national focus on our state. Governor Pillen might be influenced by extremist online personality Charlie Kirk, but our party is confident the Nebraska Legislature will continue to protect our fair electoral voting system,” Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said.

Civic Nebraska also responded with the following statement to the bill’s recent developments on Wednesday.

“More than any other state, Nebraska’s one-house Legislature requires lawmaking to be deliberative. Our Unicameral emphasizes thorough discussion and consideration of proposed legislation, ensuring that state laws reflect our state’s different perspectives and interests. Unlike national politicians, a vast majority of Nebraskans understand that such a methodical process takes time, which is a precious commodity in the legislative calendar. A last-minute attempt to change the state’s long-standing law undermines this well-honed process. It circumvents the necessary scrutiny and debate essential for effective policymaking, compromises the integrity of the legislative process, and risks a reckless, ill-conceived law with unwelcome consequences.

If the Nebraska Legislature succumbs to this last-minute pressure from outside interests, Civic Nebraska is prepared to bring this issue to Nebraskans via referendum in November.”

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