Obama Wins Nebraska Electoral Vote

OMAHA, Neb. — President-elect Barack Obama won one of Nebraska's electoral votes, the first time in history that the state has split its votes and the first time in 44 years that it had given a vote to a Democrat.

After remaining ballots were counted Friday, Obama had a 3,325-vote lead over Republican John McCain in unofficial results for the 2nd Congressional District. Nebraska and Maine are the two states that divide their electoral votes by congressional districts.

Obama, who won the White House last week, has 365 electoral votes to McCain's 162. Missouri, with 11 electoral votes, is still too close to call. Election officials in that state have until Tuesday to finish counting.

The last Democrat to win Nebraska was Lyndon B. Johnson, who carried the state in 1964.

A 1991 state law allows Nebraska to divide its five electoral votes. Two go to the statewide winner and one is awarded from each of the state's three congressional districts.

McCain comfortably won the electoral votes tied to the 1st and 3rd Congressional Districts. He also won the statewide race with about 57 percent of the vote in preliminary returns.

Obama aggressively sought the one electoral vote. He opened three campaign offices in the district and had 16 paid staff during the campaign.

As of Friday's unofficial results for the district, Obama has a total of 138,892 votes and McCain 135,567 votes. The Obama lead of 3,325 is far higher than the recount threshold of about 1,389, or 1 percent of Obama's total.

Comments

[phlssten]

I would like to see what the electoral vote would be if all states used that same system.

Obama would likely lose some electoral votes in New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and California and Florida but pick up some in Texas, Georgia, etc.

[Dutschke]

Hi there phlssten..­.
You would like to see how the election would have played out if the Nebraska model would be nationwide ? well go here:

http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Pres/Maps/Nov10.html

The scenario is played out there. enjoy !

[Mildmannered]

excellent

[neuron]

Ouch. Late hit...

[JDJase]

The Omaha World-Herald reported this over a week ago...why is this just now being reported here

[obamagal]

Because it is now official, perhaps?

[JDJase]

It doesnt take the national media to make it "official" -- it takes the people who actually counted the ovtes

[Dutschke]

Yes, good news for now but it seems that Nebraska's legislature will introduce legislation switching Nebraska to a "winner takes all" system in response to this outcome. The governing republicans seem to want to deny any future democrats any chance of winning an electoral vote here. What a very grown up and democratic approach this is... just some more evidence that Republicans are not really for fair elections, if they don't win.

Here's the link to the article: http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Pres/Maps/Nov09.html

[uglicoyote]

The Nebraska legislature is "unicmeral", a one house legislature. It's members are allegedly non-partisan and do not run on a party ticket. That said, everyone knows what the political affiliations of all the others are.

I grew up in rural western Nebraska but also lived for a time in Omaha. Douglas (Omaha) and Sarpy counties are like the rest of Nebraska in the same way that New York City is like upstate--two different worlds.

Despite their Red state status,Nebraskans have a record of electing both Dems and Republicans. Think of Governor and later Senator Bob Kerrey.

[twister61]

Dumb hicks in Nebraska..­..one wasted vote!

[midwesthousewife]

I heard this too, but I haven't seen mention of any intended action by the legislators. Do you have a link?

[R1Rider]

I can't help but wonder if the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffet helped win the one EV.

[JDJase]

probably not...he's always supported democrats and it's never worked before

[phlssten]

It could also be Chuck Hagel

[Venee]

Yea!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm a Nebraska Obama volunteer here. I'm so happy to see he got one electoral vote from my disctrict! Fantastic!!

[SwingVoter]

Thank you. Your hardwork payed.

[coffeebaby]

Thank you so much for helping us get Obama elected Venee!

[inluvwkeitholbermann]

luv ya' venee!!!!!

thank you!!!!

[AbyssinianLion]

Thanks for your hard work Venee! I also thank the other Obama volunteers and voters from Nebraska! I am glad you guys care as much about OUR future as do all the Obama supporters. Go Cornhuskers!

[midwesthousewife]

I let my two teenagers skip school so the three of us could canvas for Obama from 9 till 5--knocking on about 400 doors election day. I really had my doubts all the volunteers' efforts were making much of a difference in Omaha, but something did! (Obama himself, of course).

[inluvwkeitholbermann]

damn-it!!!! i'm crying again.....­..

yes we did!!!

[AdV2k1]

AWESOME.

[BarackstarObama]

I'm so glad it is finally official..­. I'd been waiting for days for him to officially gain that EV. LOL Current electoral totals... Obama 365 McCain 162 with Missouri remaining.

[honeydiva]

why are stations broadcasting 0ld with 173....did they give him Missouri?

[Weasie16]

WOW!! WTG!!

[Omega9111]

Oh I'd love to see Rush and O'Reilly's faces now ---- on second thought cancel that. I just ate.

[Lightningstrikes]

First the election, then the wife, now Nebraska? Gee that McCain just can stop losing, eh?

[Bepragmatic]

Finally part of Nebraska has stepped up to say it wants to be relevant. With western Nebraska voting year in and year out, 80% Republican, (in spite of McCain's promise to not support ethanol which has helped our farm based economy escape the worst of the economic problems) it is almost impossible to have an outcome in our financial best interests. Iowa (similar demographics) puts itself in position not only to be relevant, but educated. Bravo! to you....

But this may not last for long as the Nebraska legislature will try to prevent this from ever happening again by changing the law to a "winner take all" system making all of us hostages to the people of rural Nebraska where the people continue to stick their heads in the sand where only the muffled noise of Fox News and Limbaugh is heard.

[DASChicago]

Many Thanks to Omaha!!!

[ginxy]

yeah blue!

where's the updated u.s. map? i need to revise the one i have.