Blue Dot organizers hold rally in Dundee

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - In under two months, Nebraskans will hit the polls to vote in the 2024 general election.

“It is the most important thing,” said supporter Rachel Benozi. “I always tell my students, I do not care who you vote for I need you to go out and vote.”

Blue Dot creators Ruth Huebner and Jason Brown hosted a block party outside their home in Dundee. Organizers handed out signs, T-shirts and hosted congressional candidate Democrat Tony Vargas and Nebraska State Senator John Cavanaugh.

Nebraska has five electoral votes. Two statewide, and then one vote for each of the state’s three congressional districts. Nebraska’s 2nd District has been labeled the “blue dot.”

In 2020, one of Nebraska’s electoral votes went to Joe Biden, later known as the “blue dot” as it represented a single Democratic Electoral College vote in a sea of Republican red. It was only the second time in the history of presidential elections in Nebraska that the state split its electoral votes: It had also happened in 2008, with one vote going to Barack Obama.

For many in attendance Saturday, this is not their first election.

For Riley Kessler, this is her second time voting in a major election. Saturday’s rally only grows her excitement for November.

“I think voting is, its taking your power back,” said Kessler. “It feels good to vote...and say my voice is heard in a very real way.”

Margret Bartek-Miller is also voting in her second election.

“Just supporting the public schools and our teachers and our kids and our women’s rights,” explains Bartek-Miller. “That is a huge thing that I am also wanting to focus on.”

Kim Neuhas has been an active voter all her life.

She says seeing the younger generation embrace getting out to vote has been inspiring.

“Even if they can’t vote yet, be aware of what’s happening in your communities what’s happening across the country and get involved in those things,” said Neuhas. “Influence where you can and take action where you can.”

Mike McMeekain is also a longtime voter. His message to the younger generation is clear.

“Don’t sit it out because you may not be happy with one particular candidate or one particular candidate’s side on one issue,” said McMeekain. “Take part, do not sit it out.”

In Lincoln, the Nebraska GOP hosted Republican Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA at UNL. Kirk was in Omaha earlier this year to push for “winner-take-all,” which would eliminate Nebraska’s blue dot.