Precious McKesson is the first Black woman to serve as a presidential elector in the state of Nebraska. She voted yesterday (December 14) to confirm the victory of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
“It meant so much for many women who every day fight this good fight to make sure that our democracy is not taken for granted. And so to be able to cast that vote for Kamala Harris today, it meant the world to me,” McKesson told CNN. “And I’m just so happy that I was able to do that, especially here in Nebraska.”
McKesson cast her ballot on behalf of the 2nd Congressional District which includes Omaha and its suburbs. Electors in the state met in a hearing room located in the Nebraska state Capitol building in Lincoln.
“Hard work and dedicated supporters assisting in election [them] as our new leadership,” McKesson said. “I am confident we will see the change that is needed to heal our nation.”
Nebraska’s split electoral system means that the popular vote in individual congressional districts is represented in the electoral college. Long-time Nebraska State Senator Ernie Chambers is credited with keeping this split system during his decades of service.
Then-Senator Barack Obama made history in 2008 by gaining one electoral vote from Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District.
McKesson’s vote made only the second time there was an electoral vote awarded to a Democrat. The historic moment was captured on video and posted to social media.
Photo: Getty Images