Key Nebraska Republican opposes changing how the state awards electoral votes, blocking Trump push
A Nebraska Republican state lawmaker said Monday that he remains opposed to switching how the state allocates its electoral votes, effectively blocking a bid by President Donald Trump and his allies to change the system in search of an extra electoral vote this fall.
A Nebraska Republican state lawmaker said Monday that he remains opposed to switching how the state allocates its electoral votes, effectively blocking a bid by President Donald Trump and his allies to change the system in search of an extra electoral vote this fall.
Trump allies have pushed for a special legislative session intended for the Republican-controlled Legislature to change Nebraska's system to winner-take-all instead of awarding electoral votes by congressional district.
"After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change," state Sen. Mike McDonnell wrote in a letter obtained by NBC News.
GOP state Sen. Loren Lippincott, who sponsored the bill to move to winner-take-all, indicated Monday that McDonnell's position means a special session to move the legislation isn't expected this fall.
In response to questions about McDonnell’s statement, Lippincott emailed a draft of his weekly op-ed in local newspapers, which reads: “Governor [Jim] Pillen did not want to call a special session unless he had assurances from 33 senators they would vote yes on the bill. That effort did not bear fruit. There will be no special session to address Winner Take All. I will be carrying this bill, again, next legislative session.”
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