In the pursuit of the White House, Democrats are focusing their efforts on securing one of Nebraska’s five Electoral College votes. NPR senior White House correspondent, Tamara Keith, reports from Omaha, Nebraska, where there are clear indicators of voter enthusiasm, notably through creative yard signs.
Jason Brown, seeking to make an impact on the election, found an old yard sign in his garage. Using spray paint, he fashioned a blue dot on a white background, incorporating a flower pot to perfect the edges. The sign, symbolizing Omaha’s Democratic leanings in a predominantly Republican state, became popular. Jason and his wife, Ruth Huebner-Brown, placed it in their yard, sparking viral interest with neighbors and strangers requesting their own. As demand soared from ten to several hundred signs, the couple eventually sought professional printing services for thousands more.
This grassroots initiative aligns with the Harris campaign’s strategic investment in Omaha. If Harris clinches Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania but still lacks one electoral vote for the presidency, Omaha could provide the crucial vote. Nebraska’s unique allocation of electoral votes by congressional district, rather than a winner-take-all method, renders Omaha vital in this election.
The blue dot campaign is a subtle way for voters to express support for Harris amid political polarization. Noticing this, Theresa Thibodeau, co-chair of Red State Nebraska, responded by producing red state signs, which also resonated with residents who preferred not to overtly display particular candidate endorsements.
Thibodeau and numerous volunteers distributed Republican campaign materials across Omaha suburbs, like Elkhorn. Concurrently, Democratic volunteers engaged in phone banking, promoting absentee ballot submissions and supporting Kamala Harris.
Despite polls indicating Harris’s lead, her campaign continues extensive advertising and volunteer recruitment efforts, emphasizing the unpredictability of Omaha’s electoral outcome. Both JD Vance and Tim Walz have campaigned here, underscoring Omaha’s importance in the race.
John Fredrickson, a Democratic state senator representing a traditionally Republican district in Omaha, describes the locality as a “purple dot,” reflecting its fluctuating electoral support between Republican and Democratic administrations. The heightened political activity underscores the critical role Omaha could play in determining the next president.
This report by Tamara Keith encapsulates the dynamic electoral landscape in Omaha, Nebraska.
