Voting in Nebraska – Primary 2024

The first step to voting in Nebraska is to register with your County Election Commission/Clerk.  There are several ways you can do this:  on-line, by mail, at the DMV, or at the election office.  Check your county’s website to find the nearest location for you. A partial listing of counties is listed below.  If you register anywhere other than the Election Office, the deadline is Friday, April 29.   At the election office, the deadline is Friday, May 3.  You will need a photo ID to register.  If your religion doesn’t allow you to be photographed, you can file a waiver called an RIC by Friday, May 3, 2024.  RIC stands for Reasonable Impediment Certification.  This could also be used in case of disability or illness which keeps you from being able to acquire an ID or if you lack a birth certificate or other documents.  Requirements for eligibility to vote are 1) you must be a citizen and 2) turn 18 on or before November 5, 2024.

There are many forms of ID that will be accepted at the polling site.  The Nebraska Secretary of State website has these listed.  They have also published a flyer containing what is or is not acceptable.  These are displayed in many places, including the public library.  The most important thing is to remember to bring your ID with you on Election Day.  If you forget, you will still be able to vote.  It will just take longer, and you will be required to bring your ID to the Election Office no later than Tuesday, May 21, 2024.  (The election offices will also be open on Saturday, May 18^th for Voter ID verification.) 

Applications for early voting are already available by county. You must write your driver’s license/state ID number on the ballot application or enclose a copy of photo ID or reasonable impediment certification (RIC) with your ballot application.  Allow a few days for your ballot to reach your address.  These ballots must be returned by 8:00 pm on Election Day to the Election Office.  They can be mailed in, dropped in a secure ballot box at various locations in the county, or taken to the Election Office.  These can not be returned to a polling site on Election Day.  You can vote at the Election Office starting on April 15, 2024.  Check their websites for available hours. 

On May 14, 2024 the polls in Nebraska open at 8 am and close at 8pm.  If you are in line at 8:00 pm you will still be allowed to vote.   It is best, if possible, to arrive a little earlier.  With the new ID check process, expect the voting experience to take a little longer than in the past.  Be patient!  The poll worker has the goal of making sure it is done right, even if it isn’t fast.

It helps if you do your homework before you get to your polling site.  By knowing who and what you're voting for, you save time and thereby provide space available for other voters.  Research the candidates and issues so you are aware of who and what you are voting for.  Voter Information Project - www.voterinformation.org - is a great resource to help you make an informed choice when you fill in the ovals on your ballot!

County sites:  Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy, Seward, Washington

 

Research and writing provided by Deb Stortvedt