Washington — Sen. Lindsey Graham stated Thursday he is hopeful Nebraska will change the best way it apportions its Electoral School votes within the upcoming election, given the chance that the presidential election may come all the way down to a single electoral vote.
“I hope they are going to permit winner-take-all,” Graham, a South Carolina Republican, advised reporters on Thursday. Graham met with Nebraska’s governor and state lawmakers to debate shifting the state to a winner-take-all electoral system the day earlier than. “Trump’s going to win the state by 20 factors.”
In 48 states, electoral votes are allotted primarily based upon which candidate wins the vast majority of votes within the state. Nebraska, together with Maine, are the exception, apportioning their electoral votes primarily based partially upon congressional districts. And within the Cornhusker State, that might imply Vice President Kamala Harris may come away with a single electoral vote from an Omaha-area district.
Graham stated it is “very cheap” for Nebraska to push for a change to the electoral vote system now as a result of “the entire destiny of the nation and the world may hinge on one electoral vote.”
“I used to be glad to exit and speak in regards to the world as I see it,” Graham stated of his journey to Nebraska. “I hope the individuals in Nebraska will perceive this will come all the way down to a single electoral vote. And I simply do not consider a Harris presidency is nice for Nebraska.”
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Graham stated Nebraska GOP Sen. Pete Ricketts and Gov. Jim Pillen requested him to make the journey.
“I completely consider in going to winner-take-all, and I inspired Lindsey go to Nebraska,” Ricketts advised reporters Thursday, including that it is “actually a chance” that the election comes all the way down to a single Electoral School vote, “which is why we have to have winner take all in Nebraska.”
Ricketts argued that not having a winner-take-all system disenfranchises rural voters. And he praised Graham as “an incredible spokesperson” for the change, including that “he is very savvy about why we have to guarantee that all of our voters have a possibility to have their voices heard.”
Former President Donald Trump would virtually actually profit from the change in electoral apportionment. The change would require motion from the state legislature. And Pillen stated in an announcement final week that he is supportive of the change, which might award all 5 Electoral School votes to whichever candidate wins the vast majority of help within the state, slightly than the 2 which are linked to the favored vote within the state at current.
“As I’ve additionally made clear, I’m prepared to convene the Legislature for a particular session to repair this 30-year-old downside earlier than the 2024 election,” the governor stated, although he famous that he should first obtain indication that there is sufficient help amongst state senators. Early voting in Nebraska begins on Oct. 1, however the secretary of state stated a change to a winner-take-all system might be applied anytime earlier than Election Day on Nov. 5, in accordance with a report from KOLN.
In the meantime, Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer throughout a information convention on Thursday accused the GOP of working to alter the principles as a result of “they cannot win legitimately.”
“They’re very fearful in regards to the election, as they need to be,” Schumer stated.
