Though he still thinks he will win four electoral votes from Nebraska, Donald Trump is becoming more and more concerned about the fifth one. As a result, only weeks before votes are cast, the former president and his Republican friends are launching a desperate attempt to try and change state election law.
During a meeting with Republican Gov. Jim Pillen this week, Trump gave a quick call to Nebraska GOP leaders to discuss the possibility of repealing a 30-year-old rule that distributes electoral votes based on congressional district rather than a winner-take-all system.
In an attempt to support Trump's position, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina traveled to Nebraska on Wednesday to meet with lawmakers. Previous attempts to amend the statute have been unsuccessful both this year and in prior years. According to a GOP official who spoke with CNN, the former president made a quick phone call to the gathering in an attempt to gain their support and emphasize the significance of a single electoral vote.
The fact that one electoral vote from a congressional district in the Omaha area could be crucial is just another indication of how close the race against Vice President Kamala Harris could be. In order to win 270 electoral votes and the White House, Harris would still need to win the so-called blue dot from Nebraska's 2nd District, even if she won the "blue wall" states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania but lost all other significant battlegrounds.
"My belief is that a Harris presidency would not be beneficial for Nebraska, and I hope the people of Nebraska will realize that this could come down to a single electoral vote," Graham stated. "I don't think it's good for American foreign policy interests."
In contrast to his five-point victory in 2016, Trump secured four electoral votes in Nebraska in 2020, with Joe Biden winning the district that includes Omaha. In an attempt to regain that one electoral vote, the Harris campaign is investing millions in grassroots efforts in Omaha front yards. These efforts feature yard signs with blue dots, an optimistic image for Democrats amidst a sea of red in Nebraska.
The GOP official told CNN that during the call on Wednesday, Trump didn't make any particularly strong or menacing statements in his brief remarks. Some Republicans argue that instead of fighting to modify the legislation, he should strive just as hard to win the vote as Harris has, despite the fact that his campaign has spent almost little money trying to compete in the state.
The Washington Post broke the story of the Trump call first.
In order to modify the statute, Pillen has stated that he would still willing to call a special session of the Nebraska Legislature before the November election, but only if there was enough support. An attempt to amend the statute, which is exclusive to Nebraska and Maine, was unsuccessful earlier this year.
Regarding winner-take-all legislation, Pillen stated in a statement last week, "At this time, I have not yet received the concrete and public indication that 33 senators would vote for WTA." "I will gladly call a special session if that changes."
There are still a few opponents, such as state senator from Omaha Mike McDonnell, who changed his party registration from Democratic to Republican earlier this year, but he has so far refused to endorse a winner-take-all election system.
The Nebraska Examiner was informed on Thursday by his spokesperson, Barry Rubin, that Senator McDonnell had heard strong arguments from both sides. And (he) remains a no as of right now.
In an effort to thwart any last-minute attempts to amend the legislation before the November election, Democrats have pledged to try.
In the 2nd District, one of the most competitive seats in the nation, Tony Vargas, a state senator running against Republican Rep. Don Bacon, stated, "We're being very watchful and mindful of whether or not it happens." "Theoretically, it could change right up until Election Day."
In a letter sent this week, Bacon and the other four Republicans who make up the state's federal delegation reiterated their demand to change Nebraska's current legislation, stating that "it is past time that Nebraska join 48 other states in embracing winner-take-all in presidential elections."
Any last-minute attempts to amend the election law will be closely monitored by the Harris campaign and Nebraska Democratic authorities. The legislation was 17 votes short of succeeding when it was put to a vote earlier this year during the Legislature's regular session.
Jane Kleeb, the chairwoman of the Nebraska Democratic Party, stated that the 17 votes "are very solid."
Kleeb told CNN that "both Trump and Harris have the ability to compete for the votes of Nebraskans." "Democrats take our responsibilities seriously and are not wasting time bullying elected officials, as the Republicans seem to be doing these days. Instead, we are knocking on doors, calling voters, and hanging yard signs."
In Maine, a blue state, where he lost statewide but received one electoral college vote in 2016 and 2020, Trump profited from the system there. According to party officials, Democrats are more hopeful about capturing one of Nebraska's electoral votes than they are about sweeping Maine.
Given that any legislation must take effect within 90 days, state officials have stated that there is no longer any time for Maine to modify its laws. This has increased awareness of Trump's attempt to alter the Nebraska system.
In the important Omaha media market, Democratic advertising expenditures have dominated. According to a CNN review of AdImpact data, since Harris emerged as the front-runner for the Democratic ticket in July, her campaign has spent roughly $4.4 million, with a few supported outside entities having spent little more than $1 million.
Democrats are also going to have a significant advantage in advertising going forward. AdImpact data indicates that the party has around $6 million in future reservations in Nebraska, with over $1 million in airtime reserved per week during the race's last month.
AdImpact data shows that Republicans have contributed very little to the state, with the Trump campaign contributing only about $103,000.
