This story is a part of a collection of state-by-state previews of the 2024 election.
Nebraska votes solidly Republican in statewide elections, however will nonetheless be carefully watched within the presidential race on Election Day. The rationale? It is one among two states—Maine is the opposite—that doesn’t award all of its Electoral School votes to the winner of the statewide standard vote.
As an alternative, the statewide winner will get two of Nebraska’s 5 votes, whereas one vote goes to the winner in every of the state’s three congressional districts. Which means Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris has a shot at choosing up an Electoral School vote in her race towards Republican Donald Trump in a state final carried by a Democrat when Lyndon B. Johnson received it in 1964.
If it occurs, she’ll almost definitely get that vote within the state’s 2nd Congressional District.
The district, which incorporates Omaha, backed a Democrat for the primary time in 2008 when its vote went to Barack Obama. It swung behind Republicans within the following two elections earlier than backing President Joe Biden in 2020. Omaha Democrats confer with themselves as a “blue dot” in an in any other case purple state.
Nebraska may additionally play a key function within the combat for Senate management. For the primary time since 1954, each of the state’s seats are up for election.
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A particular election will determine who finishes the time period began by former Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, who left to change into president of the College of Florida in 2023. Former Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts was appointed to the seat and is working to complete the time period. Ricketts is challenged by Omaha activist Preston Love, a Democrat.
Republican Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska speaks to media on Oct. 18, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Nationwide political teams have been pouring cash right into a heated race between Republican Sen. Deb Fischer, who’s looking for reelection, and impartial challenger Dan Osborn. A win for Osborn may not assist Democrats, nevertheless, as the previous union chief has stated he will not caucus with both social gathering if elected.
RELATED STORY: Management of the Senate may come right down to a shocking purple state race
Right here’s a take a look at what to anticipate within the 2024 election in Nebraska:
Election Day
Nov. 5.
Ballot closing time
9 p.m. ET.
Presidential electoral votes
5 whole, together with two awarded to the statewide winner and one every awarded to the winner of every of the state’s three congressional districts.
An indication supporting a poll measure to increase abortion rights is seen in a yard, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Omaha, Nebraska.
Key races and candidates
President: Harris (D) vs. Trump (R) vs. Chase Oliver (Libertarian) vs. Cornel West (Authorized Marijuana NOW) vs. Jill Stein (no social gathering affiliation).
U.S. Senate (full time period): Fischer (R) vs. Osborn (no social gathering affiliation).
U.S. Senate (unexpired time period): Ricketts (R) vs. Love (D).
2nd Congressional District: Tony Vargas (D) vs. Don Bacon (R).
Poll measures: Initiative 434 (prohibit abortion previous first trimester), Initiative 437 (legalize medical marijuana), Initiative 439 (proper to abortion).
Different races of curiosity
U.S. Home, State Legislature, Public Service Fee.
Previous presidential outcomes
2020: Trump (R) 59%, Biden (D) 39%, AP race name (statewide): Tue. Nov. 3, 2020, 9 p.m. ET.
Voter registration and turnout
Registered voters: 1,249,508 (as of Oct. 1, 2024). About 27% Democrats, about 49% Republicans, about 22% nonpartisan.
Voter turnout in 2020 presidential election: 75% of registered voters.
Pre-Election Day voting
Votes solid earlier than Election Day 2020: about 56% of the whole vote.
Votes solid earlier than Election Day 2022: about 39% of the whole vote.
Votes solid earlier than Election Day 2024: See AP Advance Vote tracker.
How lengthy does vote-counting take?
First votes reported, Nov. 3, 2020: 9:02 p.m. ET.
By midnight ET: about 71% of whole votes solid had been reported.
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