Red and blue hues speckle across a sea of green, accentuating a microcosm of national politics. These ubiquitous yet understated markers have spanned many front lawns during the current election season. Whether a singular azure blue circle or a ruby red Packman figure, these signs symbolize a pertinent element of the Nebraska political structure: the potential of a split vote.
So what exactly is a split vote, and what is its significance in the 2024 elections? A split vote pertains to the allocation of electoral votes, in which most states have a “winner takes all” method, where the overall winning candidate receives all the state’s electoral votes. But two states, Maine and Nebraska, allow for discrepancies, letting each congressional district put forth an electoral vote for their popular vote winner, emphasizing the impact of voters.
“Every vote counts, and that’s what I try to emphasize in my class,” history teacher Douglas Drummond said.
Teaching World History, American Government, and AP Government and Politics, Drummond has stressed the importance of individual votes, especially due to the unique location in which Omaha is situated.
“We happen to live in a district that emphasizes how important an individual vote is because we can split away,” Drummond said.
Nebraska is composed of three congressional districts–Douglas, Saunders, and partly Sarpy county represent district two. In prior elections, district two has oscillated between a Republican and Democratic majority.
The initiation of a split vote within Nebraska was enacted in 1991, and according to “Associated Press News,” was instituted to draw presidential candidates’ attention to the state. Although having not voted for a Democratic candidate since 1964, Nebraska’s second congressional district has won an electoral vote for the Democratic candidate in both the 2008 and 2020 elections
“It can make the difference between winning and losing, but in this election, it’s not likely going to. A lot of things have to fall perfectly in place, but it is the tie-breaking vote,” Drummond said.
While having a relatively small impact historically, these “blue dots” still promote the distinctiveness of Nebraska’s electoral process.
“As for the blue dot signs popping up around town, they have been helpful in educating people on how our electoral system works,” Senior Lexi Combs said.
Combs is an intern at Women Who Run and co-founded the youth cohort NE Voices, both designed to encourage engagement within the local political scene.
“I strongly believe in maintaining the way that Nebraska splits its electoral votes, it better represents the population of our state and allows all voices to be heard,” senior Lexi Combs said.
Signage, such as the blue and red dots, symbolize the multifaceted opinions of the general public.
“The first time that I saw the signs, I was confused at what they were meant for. Now that I know what they mean, I think they are a unique way for people to show support for a political party,” junior Angela Zheng said.
Not only instilling a way to represent respective candidates, these simple signs encourage action within the community.
“I think these signs will encourage future generations to become more politically active. When I see the blue and red dots, it reminds me to be more involved in our local politics,” Zheng said.
Engaging in local politics can make a significant difference on the trajectory of statewide elections, especially when individuals take action.
“I believe it’s more important to be canvassing, writing postcards, and having conversations, especially about down ballot candidates and ballot initiatives, which are even more important than the national elections,” Combs said.
Besides the federal offices (president, vice president, senators, representatives), all voters are able to partake in the selection of Nebraska’s State Board of Education (four out of the eight positions).
The “Nebraska Department of Education” states that the State Board of Education “shall be the policy-forming, planning, and evaluative body for the state school program.”
School curriculums, teacher shortages, and community engagement are all topics of discussion for the board, influencing the educational journeys of many students.
Whether a blue or red dot, the symbol represents a common message: be engaged in Nebraska’s politics. From school board representatives to the president of the United States, every vote aids in the strengthening of representative democracy, where every voice can and should be heard.