Don Bacon advocates for Nebraska's electoral system nationwide

Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) recently advocated for the adoption of Nebraska's unique electoral system, which allocates electoral votes by congressional district, to be implemented nationwide. He expressed this view during an appearance on NewsNation’s The Hill, emphasizing that such a system would encourage candidates to campaign across more states, thereby increasing voter engagement. However, he acknowledged the complications that arise from Nebraska's distinct approach, particularly in relation to his own competitive House race in the 2nd Congressional District. Despite his support for the district-based system, Bacon noted the challenges it presents, especially as he faces a tough reelection battle. The state’s electoral system has been a topic of contention, and a recent attempt to shift to a winner-take-all model was unsuccessful. Governor Jim Pillen stated that he would not call a special session to address this issue before the upcoming November elections, indicating a lack of consensus among lawmakers. Bacon suggested that after the elections, Nebraska should consider reverting to a winner-take-all system, similar to the majority of states. He believes that while a nationwide district-based system could be beneficial, the current reality is that only Nebraska and Maine utilize this method, which complicates the electoral landscape. The 2nd Congressional District has been a pivotal electoral battleground, with its single electoral vote playing a crucial role in recent presidential elections. The Cook Political Report has classified Bacon's race as a toss-up, highlighting the competitive nature of the upcoming election and the potential impact of the electoral system on the results.