Determined Legislator Maintains Nebraska's Unique Electoral Structure

In the heart of Nebraska's legislative body, Senator Ernie Chambers, a progressive and non-religious Black man, has stood as a beacon of change for 46 years. As the state's longest-serving and only Independent legislator, Chambers has significantly reshaped the political landscape of Nebraska.

For decades, efforts to change Nebraska's electoral votes distribution have been met with resistance, most notably by Senator Chambers. In 2016, Senator Robert Hilkemann led an attempt to transform Nebraska's electoral college system into a winner-takes-all one, aiming to favour Republicans in the deeply red state. However, Chambers' legendary filibustering skills prevented the bill from passing.

Chambers is renowned for his unwavering commitment to progressive causes. Over half a century ago, he drafted bills to protect LGBTQ workers and address systemic racism, long before the Supreme Court ruled to ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. His efforts have earned him a reputation as a stubborn yet effective dissident, advocating for people on the margins.

In 2000, Nebraska imposed term limits on legislators, a move primarily aimed at ousting Chambers for a brief period. Despite his opposition and hours of filibustering, the bill failed by one vote, allowing Chambers to return to office in 2012.

Nebraska's electoral votes are distributed differently than in most states, with two votes going to the statewide popular vote winner and three going to the winners of each congressional district. Chambers has been a significant figure in the movement to change this system, advocating for a distribution based on the statewide popular vote.

Chambers' influence extends beyond electoral reform. He has been instrumental in passing legislation such as the abolition of the death penalty and the recent bill cracking down on racial profiling and requiring implicit bias training for all police officers.

Despite his age, Chambers continues to commute from Omaha to his office in Lincoln nearly every day, even when the legislature is not in session. He encourages people to vote and has been a vocal advocate for progressive causes throughout his career.

As Nebraska prepares for a legislature without Chambers, concerns about the quality of the legislature without his watchful eye and iron-clad principles are rising. Chambers, however, remains focused on his personal philosophy of helping anyone in need, regardless of their race, creed, color, sexual orientation, or any other thing.

In a world where fifteen states and the District of Columbia have joined a movement to use the popular vote in future elections, Chambers' act of disobedience in 2016 still protects some of those he thinks are "downtrodden," even though one electoral vote isn't much. His legacy in Nebraska politics will undoubtedly continue to inspire change for years to come.