Republican Official Resigns After Failed Electoral Change Effort

A Nebraska Republican Party official quit after a failed effort to change how the state’s Electoral College votes were apportioned, in what could have been a crucial victory for former President Donald Trump.

2nd Congressional District Republican Party chairman Doug Petersen announced his resignation after the failure of an effort to return Nebraska to a ‘winner-take-all’ status in the Electoral College. The effort was rejected by the state’s legislature last week.

Contact Gov Jim Pillen and politely ask that he call the Nebraska legislature into a special session to fix the electoral college vote so the winner of the popular vote in Nebraska receives all the electoral votes. Here’s the contact info: 402-471-2244https://t.co/nk6Q8CxWgx

— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) April 9, 2024

“On the advice of my legal counsel, I resigned from the CD 2 Chair on Saturday. I cannot comment on much other than the NEGOP is in shambles and I can no longer be associated with them,” he said.

The effort was endorsed by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R)

“It would bring Nebraska into line with 48 of our fellow states, better reflect the founders’ intent, and ensure our state speaks with one unified voice in presidential elections,” the governor said.

They then specifically called on the Republican-dominated legislature to pass the bill.

In the race for 270 electoral votes, the split in how Nebraska apportions the votes could have a large impact on the race itself. Firstly, it increases the chance of a potential 269-269 tie between two major party candidates. Furthermore, a shift of one electoral vote toward the former president could lead him to the 270 needed to retake the White House in November.

The state is one of two that apportions its votes based both on the statewide results and that of the individual congressional districts. Maine similarly separates its electoral votes, which is allowed under the U.S. Constitution. This aided Trump in 2016 when he won one of the electoral districts while losing the state overall.

However, the split in Nebraska’s electoral votes hurt Trump in 2020. He won all of the state’s electoral votes in 2016 against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton but four years later President Joe Biden won one of the votes.