LINCOLN- LB76, a bill introduced by Sen. Julie Slama of Peru would return Nebraska to the winner-take-all method of allocating Electoral College votes. The senator believes this is a 'common-sense' bill and would improve state election laws. The bill has already garnered much negative attention from opponents, especially the ACLU and Nebraska Democratic Party.

“Now more than ever, it’s incumbent on us all to fiercely protect our free and fair elections in Nebraska,” said Danielle Conrad, State ACLU Director. “We need to expand — not contract — voting rights because every American knows voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and the fundamental right upon which all our civil liberties rest.”

Returning to a winner-take-all system has been a Republican Party priority since Nebraska switched to multiple votes in 1991. As of now, the state awards three of its five votes based in the popular vote in each congressional district with the other two going to the statewide winner. This system helped President Obama get elected in 2008 when the state split its vote and again this year for President-elect Biden. Nebraska and Maine are the only two states that split votes.

Voter identification is also addressed in the bill. Sen. Slama would like to see a change to the Nebraska Constitution and would require poll workers to see a photograph or digital image of each voter to verify identity before counting their vote. This relates to a nationwide discussion about voter suppression.

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