Nebraskans will have a chance this week to weigh in on two proposals that seek to change the state's presidential elections back to a winner-take-all system.
The Nebraska Legislature's Government, Military and Veteran's Affairs Committee will host a public hearing on Legislative Bill 3 and Legislative Resolution 24CA at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Both proposals would reinstate winner-take-all as the system Nebraska uses to award all five of its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the state's popular vote, albeit by different processes.
The state is currently one of two that allocates some of its Electoral College votes by congressional district, which has meant thrice Democratic presidential candidates have thrice won a single Electoral College vote in recent years.
Though the legislative proposals take slightly different approaches, the bills will be heard in a combined public hearing, allowing testimony to be heard on both ideas at once. People unable to attend the hearing in Lincoln, can watch it via livestream on Nebraska Public Media's website or submit comments online.
Lippincott
LB 3 was introduced by State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City on Day 2 of the legislative session. It is largely identical to the bill Lippincott introduced in 2023, which went ignored through two sessions. Gov. Jim Pillen then released a statement supporting the bill in the final weeks of the 2024 session, past the point when the bill had a serious chance of passing. LB 3 was introduced with Pillen's backing.
Since LB 3 is a standalone bill, if the Legislature passes it, winner-take-all will take effect automatically.
In contrast, LR 24CA, introduced by Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams, is a constitutional amendment so it would need to pass a vote of the people in 2026 if the Legislature approves it this session.
Dorn said he wanted to bring the constitutional amendment as an option in case LB 3 didn't have enough support to pass. However, there was some question whether Dorn would even introduce the measure after he was met with resistance from officials with the governor's office, who expressed concerns that the second option might hinder LB 3's chance of passing.
Pillen previously told The World-Herald that he was firmly against passing winner-take-all through a constitutional amendment. He said he was concerned the move would lock Nebraska's elections system in the state Constitution and make it more difficult to enact future changes.
Dorn
Dorn ultimately did introduce LR 24CA the day before the deadline for new bills to be put forth, though the governor's mind hadn't changed on the issue. He said he did so because he spoke to several Republican senators who wanted the second option on the books.
Either proposal will likely need all 33 Republicans in the Legislature to support it in order to make it to Pillen's desk, as that's the exact number needed to overcome an inevitable filibuster against it.
But those 33 votes are not a guarantee, as several Republican lawmakers have expressed hesitation on the idea.
One holdout, Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, supported winner-take-all in 2024, but now says it's not the right time to consider the issue. His district has an even split of Republicans and Democrats, and he said he doesn't believe a majority of his constituents support the proposed change.
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The Nebraska Legislature's Government, Military and Veteran's Affairs Committee will host a public hearing on Legislative Bill 3 and Legislative Resolution 24CA at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Both proposals would reinstate winner-take-all as the system Nebraska uses to award all five of its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the state's popular vote, albeit by different processes.
The state is currently one of two that allocates some of its Electoral College votes by congressional district, which has meant thrice Democratic presidential candidates have thrice won a single Electoral College vote in recent years.
Though the legislative proposals take slightly different approaches, the bills will be heard in a combined public hearing, allowing testimony to be heard on both ideas at once. People unable to attend the hearing in Lincoln, can watch it via livestream on Nebraska Public Media's website or submit comments online.
Lippincott
LB 3 was introduced by State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City on Day 2 of the legislative session. It is largely identical to the bill Lippincott introduced in 2023, which went ignored through two sessions. Gov. Jim Pillen then released a statement supporting the bill in the final weeks of the 2024 session, past the point when the bill had a serious chance of passing. LB 3 was introduced with Pillen's backing.
Since LB 3 is a standalone bill, if the Legislature passes it, winner-take-all will take effect automatically.
In contrast, LR 24CA, introduced by Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams, is a constitutional amendment so it would need to pass a vote of the people in 2026 if the Legislature approves it this session.
Dorn said he wanted to bring the constitutional amendment as an option in case LB 3 didn't have enough support to pass. However, there was some question whether Dorn would even introduce the measure after he was met with resistance from officials with the governor's office, who expressed concerns that the second option might hinder LB 3's chance of passing.
Pillen previously told The World-Herald that he was firmly against passing winner-take-all through a constitutional amendment. He said he was concerned the move would lock Nebraska's elections system in the state Constitution and make it more difficult to enact future changes.
Dorn
Dorn ultimately did introduce LR 24CA the day before the deadline for new bills to be put forth, though the governor's mind hadn't changed on the issue. He said he did so because he spoke to several Republican senators who wanted the second option on the books.
Either proposal will likely need all 33 Republicans in the Legislature to support it in order to make it to Pillen's desk, as that's the exact number needed to overcome an inevitable filibuster against it.
But those 33 votes are not a guarantee, as several Republican lawmakers have expressed hesitation on the idea.
One holdout, Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, supported winner-take-all in 2024, but now says it's not the right time to consider the issue. His district has an even split of Republicans and Democrats, and he said he doesn't believe a majority of his constituents support the proposed change.
Could Nebraska become a winner-take-all state? Lawmakers are holding public hearing on 2 bills
Nebraskans will have a chance this week to weigh in on two proposals that seek to change the state's presidential elections back to a winner-take-all system.
