After former President Donald Trump reignited a conservative push to snag one of Nebraska’s electoral votes that could decide the presidential election, a key state senator whose support is needed to make it happen quashed Republican hopes Monday.
State Senator Mike McDonnell said in a statement that he would not support altering Nebraska’s current system, which splits its electoral votes by congressional district. Democrat Kamala Harris , Trump’s opponent in the Nov. 5 election, is slightly favored to win one electoral vote from Nebraska’s 2nd congressional district, which includes Omaha.
A bill to change the system would require 33 votes out of 49 seats in the legislature. Republicans control exactly 33 seats, which means they cannot afford even a single defection with Democrats united in opposition.
“I will not change my long-held position and will oppose any attempted changes to our electoral college system before the 2024 election,” McDonnell said in a statement, noting that the election is only 43 days away.