The 2024 presidential election could come down to a single electoral vote in Nebraska, highlighting the importance of the state’s split electoral system. Nebraska is a reliably red state, with the last Democratic presidential candidate winning statewide over 50 years ago. However, the state allocates some of its electoral votes based on individual congressional districts, with the most competitive district being the one that includes Omaha. This district has swung back and forth between Republican and Democratic candidates in recent election cycles, making it a crucial battleground in presidential races.
The 2024 election is shaping up to be a close race nationally, with the potential for the presidency to hinge on the Omaha-based district in Nebraska. In a scenario where Trump wins all his 2020 electoral votes and secures key swing states like Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada, he would be just two votes shy of winning back the White House. On the other hand, if Biden carries the states he won in 2020, including Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, he would need to secure the Omaha congressional district to win outright. The possibility of a tied electoral college and a decision by the U.S. House is also on the table if Trump were to win all of Nebraska’s electoral votes.
Prominent Republicans, like Charlie Kirk and Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, have raised awareness about the importance of Nebraska’s electoral votes in the 2024 election. Kirk called for the state to shift to a winner-take-all system and end the practice of allocating electoral votes by congressional district. Pillen showed support for the bill in the legislature that would make this change, with Trump also backing the move. Despite the attention on Nebraska’s electoral system, there is no guarantee that the legislature will make any changes, but the increased focus underscores the potential impact of the state in the upcoming election.
Nebraska State Senator Megan Hunt, who represents part of Omaha, criticized the GOP push to change the state’s electoral system, calling it “pathetic” and suggesting that Trump should earn the vote of the district. The Nebraska Democratic Party also expressed support for maintaining the state’s current split electoral vote system. The 2024 election is expected to be highly competitive, and the focus on Nebraska’s electoral votes highlights the significance of every single vote in shaping the outcome. As the election approaches, the attention on Nebraska’s electoral system is likely to continue as both parties vie for crucial electoral votes.
