Biden apparent presidential winner

Whether the race for president has been decided or not depends largely depends whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican. 

Over the weekend, initial counting of votes in key battleground states gave Biden the necessary 270 electoral votes to claim the presidency. 

A week later, President Donald Trump has not conceded the race, claiming voter irregularities occurred in several of those key states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona and Nevada. 

His campaign has filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia, and Michigan thus far. 

Those are states where either Biden’s margin of victory is relatively slim, or where a definitive winner has yet to be called. 

This election is reminiscent of 2000 when Al Gore sought a recount of the results in Florida. 

The recount process was ultimately decided in the
U. S. Supreme Court with results favoring George W. Bush certified by the mid-December deadline. 

States must certify their counts so electoral voters can be selected for their voting process to confirm the presidency. 

Record turnout in state

Nebraska broke its previous record turnout, with 74% of eligible voters casting ballots. 

Sen. Ben Sasse won reelection, and all three representatives, Rep. Adrian Smith, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and Rep. Don Bacon, will remain in Congress.

Rep. Bacon narrowly won his seat again after challenger Kara Eastman received about 46% of the votes.

Perhaps the most impactful vote in Nebraska will be the one to legalize gambling as Nebraska licensed horse racing tracks. 

The measure passed with nearly 65% support statewide. Perkins County voters opposed it slightly 757-711.

Perkins County was among 26 counties who voted against Amendment 1, which removed the provision from the state Constitution that slavery could be used as punishment for crimes.

Statewide, the measure passed with 68% support. In Perkins County, 677 voted for its removal while 728 voted against.

The measure drew it biggest support from Nebraska’s largest counties in the eastern part of the state.

The Omaha World-Herald reported the most opposition came from smaller, rural counties — especially in western Nebraska. Of the 10 least populated Nebraska counties, nine voted against Amendment 1. 

County results final

Election Commissioner/Clerk Rita Long said her canvassing board has verified election results for Perkins County. 

While there were some additional provisional ballots counted during canvassing, nothing changed the outcome in any of the contested races on this year’s ballot.