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Nebraska and the electoral college

 


Nebraska is one of just two states that does NOT follow a winner-take-all rule with reference to the allocation of its electoral votes in a Presidential contest. [The other is Maine.] 

Part of  Nebraska's allocation of electors works by congressional district. [It gives out two of its five votes on a statewide basis and the other three by virtue of the presidential votes of its three congressional districts.] The result of this is that Nebraska sometimes votes in the electoral college four to the Republican candidate, one to the Democratic, because of the blue political tint of the district that includes the city of Omaha.  

Now, there is one plausible breakdown of the state-by-state results this November that has Biden winning by 270 to 268. THAT scenario involves Biden winning that one vote in otherwise deep red Nebraska. 

If the Trump forces can change the law in Nebraska, as they are now endeavoring to do, then that scenario yield a 269 to 269 result. Unless the Biden forces could then flip a "faithless elector" the election would be decided in the House of Representatives.

This, then, is an exceptionally important matter, and it is heartening news that Nebraska seems to be holding firm. The legislative session ends on April 18.  Unless such a bill passes before then, it would have to be enacted by a special session if at all.  If seems doubtful the Governor will want to call such a session. 

So: all is well on this front. And Trump's criminal trial starts Monday. Things are beginning to shift toward sanity. 

 

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