The Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard testimony March 6 on a bill that would change presidential election procedures.<\/p>\n
Currently, the winner of Nebraska\u2019s popular vote receives two electoral votes. The three congressional districts also award one electoral vote each based on its popular vote winner. Maine is the only other state to use this system.<\/p>\n
LB382, introduced by Fremont Sen. Charlie Janssen, would reinstate a winner-take-all system that would award all five electoral votes to the winner of the state\u2019s popular vote. Janssen said the current system diminishes the state\u2019s influence on the national stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we adopted the current system, there were claims that we would see an influx of presidential candidates and campaigns,\u201d he said. \u201cThat has not happened and we\u2019ve diminished our clout by not being able to offer five electoral votes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale testified in support of the bill. He said the winner-take-all system is the most efficient way to elect the president.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf every state were to adopt our system, it would be highly unlikely in most circumstances that either candidate of either major party would get to the necessary 270 electoral votes,\u201d Gale said.<\/p>\n
Charlene Ligon of Bellevue opposed the bill, saying the state\u2019s current system makes sure each vote counts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe concept of winner-take-all has been adopted by most states,\u201d she said. \u201cThe practice, however, has little basis in representing the ideal of one voice, one vote.\u201d<\/p>\n
The committee took no immediate action on the bill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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