{"id":2345415,"date":"2024-09-24T15:59:02","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T19:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nebraska-gov-pillen-dashes-gop-hopes-for-special-session-to-revamp-electoral-votes-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-09-24T16:00:22","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T20:00:22","slug":"nebraska-gov-pillen-dashes-gop-hopes-for-special-session-to-revamp-electoral-votes-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nebraska-gov-pillen-dashes-gop-hopes-for-special-session-to-revamp-electoral-votes-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Nebraska Gov. Pillen dashes GOP hopes for special session to revamp electoral votes &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnebraska-gov-pillen-dashes-gop-hopes-for-special-session-to-revamp-electoral-votes-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2345415&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has\u2063 rejected calls from\u200d former \u2062President Donald Trump and \u200dother\u200c Republicans to hold a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-mexico-sheriff-defies-governors-emergency-gun-ban-order\/\" title=\"NM Sheriff Defies Gov&#039;s Gun Ban Order\">special legislative\u200c session<\/a> to \u2062change the state&#8217;s electoral\u2064 vote allocation system from \u2062its\u2062 current method to a &#8220;winner-take-all&#8221; \u200bformat. Despite efforts to secure enough \u2063support\u200c among state senators to pass such a change before the November election, Pillen\u2062 stated that they \u2063were unable to persuade \u200cthe necessary\u2062 33\u200d senators. This decision \u2062comes\u2063 after GOP state\u2064 Senator Mike McDonnell expressed his opposition \u2064to altering Nebraska&#8217;s \u2062electoral process so close to the election, emphasizing the\u2063 need for\u200d stability and consideration of public sentiment. \u2064Currently, Nebraska uses a congressional district method, which awards two electoral votes\u200b to the statewide winner and one to the winner in each congressional district.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Nebraska Gov. Pillen dashes GOP hopes for special session to revamp electoral votes<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1765895\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Gov. Jim Pillen (R-NE) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/manchin-throws-a-wrench-into-democrats-climate-plans-again\/\" title=\"Manchin Throws A Wrench Into Democrats\u2019 Climate Plans \u2014 Again\">poured cold water<\/a> on calls from former President&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Donald Trump<\/a>&nbsp;and his allies for Nebraska to overhaul the way it allocates its electoral votes, declaring that he would not call a special legislative session.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Pillen said in a statement from his office that he will not call a session to change the state&rsquo;s electoral process to a &ldquo;winner-take-all&rdquo; system despite calls from state and national Republicans to switch in the hopes it could boost GOP chances of sweeping Nebraska in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;My team and I have worked relentlessly to secure a filibuster-proof 33-vote majority to get winner-take-all passed before the November election,&rdquo; Pillen <a href=\"https:\/\/governor.nebraska.gov\/press\/gov-pillen-issues-statement-regarding-special-session-restore-winner-take-all-nebraska\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>said<\/a>. &ldquo;Given everything at stake for Nebraska and our country, we have left every inch on the field to get this done.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Unfortunately, we could not persuade 33 state senators,&rdquo; Pillen continued.<\/p>\n<p>The governor&rsquo;s announcement comes after GOP state Sen. Mike McDonnell, who represents Omaha, said he would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3163316\/nebraska-senator-trump-electoral-shake-up\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>not support an effort<\/a> by Republicans in the Nebraska state legislature to return to the &ldquo;status quo&rdquo; of awarding all of its votes to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/key-nebraska-senator-rejects-trump-push-for-electoral-shake-up-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Key Nebraska senator rejects Trump push for electoral shake-up - Washington Examiner\">single presidential candidate<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I respect the desire of some of my colleagues to have this discussion, and I have taken time to listen carefully to Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue,&rdquo; McDonnell said. &ldquo;After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Nebraska uses a congressional district method that allocates two electoral votes to the candidate who wins the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nebraska-republicans-push-for-big-2024-electoral-change-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Nebraska Republicans push for big 2024 electoral change - Washington Examiner\">statewide popular vote<\/a> and awards one electoral vote to the popular vote winner in each congressional district. Nebraska&rsquo;s 2nd Congressional District, which is a swing district, could determine the general election if it comes down to just one vote and is coveted by Republicans as they face a contentious presidential race.<\/p>\n<p>In 2008, Barack Obama won the 2nd District, but Republican Sen. John McCain won the state as a whole. Republican nominee Mitt Romney won both the 2nd District and the state as a whole in 2012. Trump then secured the district in 2016 before it swung back to Democrats in 2020.<\/p>\n<p>The winner-takes-all initiative was backed by Trump and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC),&nbsp;who visited the state to rally support. However, with 49 senators in the unicameral Nebraska legislature, 33 senators are needed to avoid a filibuster.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There are 33 Republicans, 15 Democrats, and one independent in the legislature. With all Democrats and the independent likely against the initiative, McDonnell&rsquo;s defection effectively nixes Republicans&rsquo; chances of switching to a winner-takes-all at this time.<\/p>\n<p>Pillen called McDonnell&rsquo;s decision &ldquo;profoundly disappointing&rdquo; to him and &ldquo;many others who have worked so earnestly to ensure all Nebraskans&rsquo; votes are sought after equally this election.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1765895\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1765895\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has dampened the Republican Party&#8217;s aspirations for a special session aimed at changing how the state allocates its electoral votes. He announced that he would not convene a legislative session to shift Nebraska to a &#8220;winner-take-all&#8221; system, despite pressure from former President Donald Trump and other Republicans who believe this change could enhance GOP prospects in the 2024 election. In his statement, Pillen noted that his team had worked hard to secure enough support for such a measure but ultimately could not convince 33 state senators to back it. This announcement follows comments from GOP State Senator Mike McDonnell of Omaha, who expressed his opposition to reverting to an all-or-nothing approach for awarding electoral votes. McDonnell emphasized that now is not the right time for such changes, just weeks before Election Day. Currently, Nebraska employs a congressional district method where two electoral votes go to the statewide winner and one goes to each congressional district&#8217;s winner. The 2nd Congressional District is particularly significant as it can swing elections; it has changed hands between parties in recent presidential races. The push for a winner-takes-all system received backing from Trump and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), but with only 33 Republicans in the unicameral legislature\u2014against 15 Democrats and one independent\u2014McDonnell\u2019s stance effectively ends any chance of implementing this change at present. Pillen expressed disappointment over McDonnell&#8217;s decision, which he believes undermines efforts to ensure every Nebraskan&#8217;s vote is valued equally this election cycle<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2648,"featured_media":2345416,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/jim-pillen.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[41626,6203,41628,14648,41627],"class_list":["post-2345415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-electoral-votes","tag-gop","tag-governor-pillen","tag-nebraska","tag-special-session"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/jim-pillen.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2345415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2648"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2345415"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2345415\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2345416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2345415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2345415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2345415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}