Eleven-term state Senator Ernie Chambers is gaining national recognition after Nebraska reported where its electoral votes were going. Four for Donald Trump, one for Joe Biden.
This singular electoral vote is the result of Chambers’ lifelong work in the Nebraska state senate and Omaha community. The split electoral vote system was established in the early 1990s and nearly abolished in 2016, if not for Chambers’ filibuster of the vote to end it.
Sen. Chambers began his political career as a barber and activist and is known for his support for progressive policies including abolishing the death penalty.
Details of the 83-year-old’s public service career and impact on this year’s election were outlined by author Andrew R. Schrock in a now viral thread on Twitter.
Sen. Chambers’ accomplishments include writing laws to eliminate sales tax on groceries, require a grand jury investigation on people who die in police custody, limited capital punishment for juveniles and people with mental disabilities, and more as reported by the Omaha World-Herald.
His work in maintaining the state's split electoral vote system reflects his years of service to the Omaha community.
Of the split vote system, Sen. Chambers’ said in his legendary filibuster, “It means that now when people start organizing at the neighborhood level, it matters because we can get one of those votes.”
As the country awaits results of the election, many are highlighting those who uphold the belief in an equitable democratic process.
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