Obama creates history by splitting Nebraska's electoral votes

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Washington, Nov 15 : President elect Barack Obama has won one of Nebraska's electoral votes, making history in a state that has never split its electoral votes.

CBS News reported that Obama now has a total of 365 electoral votes to McCain's 162.

After all remaining ballots were counted on Friday; Obama emerged with a 3,325-vote lead over McCain in unofficial results in the 2nd Congressional District. The district covers Douglas County, which includes Omaha, and portions of adjacent Sarpy County.

Nebraska, with five votes, and Maine are the only states that divide their electoral votes by congressional district.

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.

Missouri, with 11 electoral votes, is still too close to call. Election officials there have until Tuesday to finish counting.

ANI

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