Most of the public who don’t follow the US Presidential Elections in detail thinks that all State winners are elected in the same manner…i.e. the candidate that wins the most votes in a State wins that State (aka “winner-takes-all” system). This is true for 48 of the States but does not apply to Nebraska and Maine.

So how does Nebraska and Maine elect their winners?

Nebraska and Maine use what is known as a “Split Voting” system. If you have never heard about this, don’t worry, most Americans have not heard about it either. Let me try to explain what it means.

Nebraska and Maine's Split Voting System:

1. Congressional Districts:
   1. Both states divide their electoral votes based on congressional districts.
   2. In Nebraska, there are 3 congressional districts, and in Maine, there are 2. Each district gets one electoral vote.
2. Statewide Popular Vote:
   1. In addition to the votes based on districts, both states have 2 more electoral votes, which are awarded to the candidate who wins the statewide popular vote like other States.

So, to put actual numbers behind it, this is what it looks like:

• 3 votes are given to the winners of each congressional district.
• 2 votes are awarded to the statewide winner.

Maine: Has 4 electoral votes.

• 2 votes are given to the winners of each congressional district.
• 2 votes are awarded to the statewide winner.

Easy-peasy?

Let’s try to understand this better using an actual example. This is what happened in 2020 Presidential Elections:

Nebraska:

Trump carried Nebraska by 19 points on Election Day. But, in a safe “Red” state, Biden was still able to flip the 2nd district. Trump received the state's other four electoral votes.

Maine:

On election day, Biden carried Maine at-large by nine percentage points and the 1st congressional district by 23 percentage points, garnering three electoral votes. However, the rural 2nd district backed Trump, giving him one electoral vote.

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This was the first election in which both Nebraska and Maine would officially split their electoral votes!

Where most states go all in with their electoral votes, Nebraska and Maine march to the beat of their own drum. Splitting their votes between districts and the statewide winner, these two states ensure that every vote counts in more ways than one. Is it a better system than winner-takes-all? There are pros and cons on both sides…but it does keep things interesting. Who knows, 2024 election results might come to that one split vote in Nebraska or Maine!

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