The battleground states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania are crucial in the race for the White House, but another key player has emerged: Omaha's blue dot. Yard signs featuring blue circles have started popping up on lawns in Omaha, Nebraska, symbolizing hope for Democrats in a predominantly red state. Nebraska's single electoral vote could prove decisive for either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump in the final stretch of the campaign.
Nebraska, along with Maine, differs from other states in how it awards electoral votes, doing so by congressional district rather than a statewide winner-takes-all approach. While Republicans have pushed to change this system, Democrats view it as a point of pride. Only Barack Obama in 2008 and Joe Biden in 2020 have managed to secure a single electoral vote in Nebraska.
The Harris campaign and Democratic supporters are now heavily investing in winning over Nebraska's 2nd District, which encompasses Omaha and parts of two neighboring counties. This district shares similarities with suburban areas nationwide, making it a critical battleground.
If Harris secures the three key 'blue wall' states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and Trump wins states like North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada, the race could end in a 269-269 tie, to be decided by the House of Representatives. In such a scenario, a single electoral college vote from Nebraska could tip the scales, potentially altering the outcome if no other states produce unexpected results.
