The 2024 election cycle has concluded and a majority of the results have been compiled for the Presidency, senate, house of representatives and local or state positions; however, some states are still compiling their votes as of Nov. 11, 2024.
To start, Republican nominee former President Donald Trump clinched the presidency with 312 electoral college votes and won the popular vote with over 74 million votes. He is the first candidate to reclaim the presidency after losing it since Grover Cleveland did so in 1893. Much of Trump’s victory is credited to his performance in swing states.
Trump’s opponent, Democrat nominee and current vice president Kamala Harris secured 226 electoral college votes and more than 71 million votes. Harris replaced current President Joe Biden in the presidential race after he dropped out due to internal pressure from the Democratic party about his chances of winning the presidency. Harris will remain vice president until Trump assumes office in January.
Republicans on the whole performed well in the 2024 election cycle, flipping three in the Senate and securing a 52 to 46 majority as of Nov. 11, 2024; Democrats previously held a slim Senate majority. Some seats are still being counted.
In the Nebraska Senate race, Republican Deb Fischer, the incumbent, has won, beating independent Dan Osborn. The congressional districts also all went to Republicans. Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District was won by the incumbent Republican Mike Flood, beating Democrat Carol Blood. Republican Don Bacon, the incumbent, won Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, beating Democrat Tony Vargas. Republican Adrian Smith, the incumbent, won Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District, beating Democrat Daniel Ebers.
Nebraska also held a special senate election after former Sen. Ben Sasse opted to resign before completing his term. Republican Pete Ricketts, the incumbent, won the election beating out Democrat Preston Love.
More than just elected officials were on the ballot; state ballot initiatives could also be voted on and the most consequential initiatives had to do with abortion in Nebraska. Initiative Measures 434 and 439 were competing abortion-related initiatives.
Initiative Measure 434 upheld the current abortion ban after 12 weeks of pregnancy while Initiative Measure 439 would create a right to abortion until fetal viability or when needed to protect the life or health of a pregnant woman. 55.32% of voters voted for Initiative Measure 434 and 44.68% voted against it, according to the Nebraska Secretary of State Office. 48.55% of voters voted for Initiative Measure 439 and 51.54% voted against it.
Anyone interested in talking about the election can meet together on Nov. 12 for The Longest Table, which takes place from 12-1 p.m. in Nyrop-Perry Campus Center.
