Every electoral vote counts.

As Election Day closes in, political analysts have been predicting several possible outcomes. A few scenarios have the final electoral vote count being 269-269, each candidate one short of the 270 needed to win the presidency.

That’s why Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama is setting up camp in Omaha.

Obama has opened three campaign headquarter offices in Omaha in hopes of winning Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District’s electoral vote.

That would hypothetically take one of Republican rival Sen. John McCain’s votes, giving Obama the lead.

Nebraska is one of two states in the nation that is not winner-take-all with its electoral votes. Both Nebraska and Maine use the district method, meaning each state can delegate its votes according to the voting of its congressional districts. If Obama succeeds in winning the 2 nd Congressional District (which includes all of Douglas County and part of Sarpy County), it would be the first Nebraska electoral vote for a Democratic candidate in 44 consecutive years.

Nebraska has been historically conservative. Voting records show it is the second most Republican state in the union (after Utah).

“It’s the first time since 1964 that there has been a significant operation of a Democratic presidential campaign here in Nebraska,” said John Berge, Nebraska state director of Obama for America (Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson won the lopsided 1964 election against Barry Goldwater after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy).

Obama’s new Omaha digs come with a paid staff of 15, but most of the work comes from signed-up volunteers. The main headquarters at 343 N. 76 th Street assigns volunteers to phone calls, distributes voter registration information and assigns daily canvasses.

The headquarters shares a complex with Chuck E. Cheese – where children gatherto play, and Buffalo Wild Wings, where sports fans watch the big game. At the office, Obama staffers are gathered around tables for another reason.

The office is lined with campaign signs calling for “change” and labeling the city a new nickname – “Obama.” Supporters come in to purchase Obama/Biden yard signs while volunteers are busy on the phones.

“I think it was an opportunity for us to show the type of investment that Sen. Obama’s campaign is making in Nebraska. We’re fighting for every vote here,” Berge said.

Creighton first-year law student Dan Ramirez recently visited the headquarters to pick up a yard sign and some bumper stickers.

“The main reason I’m supporting Obama over McCain, honestly, is because he’s the best candidate to bring about the change that is needed in Washington in improving our world image. And I needed a sign for my parents’ house,” Ramirez said.

After establishing the main headquarters, the campaign opened two more locations – one at 5032 Ames St. and another at 14438 West Center Road – focused on getting Obama’s message to residential neighborhoods.

“We are still a grassroots campaign,” Berge said. “Our main office is bursting at the seams.”

Although McCain doesn’t have a campaign headquarters in Omaha, Republicans are still confident that Douglas County’s historical conservativeness will lead them to victory.

“I think unequivocally that Barack Obama does not have a chance,” said Dave Bywater, executive director of the Douglas County Republican Party.

He pointed out that the 2 nd Congressional District extends past the metro to surrounding communities. In Sarpy County, registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by 10,000.

“If you look at it, Obama runs out of votes,” Bywater said.

The openings of the three offices have symbolized a late push by Obama in Omaha. All of the offices were set up less than two months before Election Day.

The North Omaha office opening was celebrated with a cookout, music, speakers and a gospel choir. More than 600 people showed up to the event.

Obama field organizer Clifford Robbins rallied volunteers at the opening.

“I want to see this office filled with volunteers from 9 in the morning until 9 at night. There is something all of us can do,” Robbins said.

The new offices have generated local and national interest spotlighting the race in Omaha. Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin recently visited the Omaha Civic Auditorium to rally Republicans.

All of this for a single electoral vote.