With so little time before the election, commercials for and against candidates and ballot initiatives flood news, social media, mailboxes, and even yards. Bitter words, sound bites, and talking points, which are designed to stir up emotion rather than to give information, besiege us. 

 

No wonder many of us can’t wait for November 6. The whole experience can be so draining, and the issues facing our communities can feel so impossible, that some throw up their hands and give up on voting.  

 

But November 5 is a crucial day. We get to decide what happens! Not every country gives its citizens that power. And yet, only 37% of eligible citizens nationwide voted in each of the last three elections. Nebraska voter turnout is higher, but we can do better! We had 52.8% overall in Nebraska in 2022, ranging from some areas lower than 30% and others in the high 70s. If you’re curious about your area, you can go to this map to see your area’s turnout in 2022. 

 

What happens in our daily lives, our communities, and our nation depends on our votes. If you’re not a voter, why let someone else make decisions for you? What if the people who agree with you are the ones staying home?  

 

Our votes matter. And it doesn't have to be hard. Nebraska has options to make voting easier, and VIP is here to help. 

 

If you’re not registered to vote, please register now! The deadline is October 25, by 6:00 pm CDT. You can go to your local election office to register. 

 

Whether you vote early or on November 5 at your polling place; whether you vote by mail or use a drop box or vote early in person by dropping your ballot at your county election office, please vote, and encourage your family and friends to do the same. And don't forget Nebraska’s voter ID law—bring your ID.  [NOTE:  If you ordered a by mail ballot, you CANNOT take that ballot to the polls - it has to be mailed, or turned in at the election office, or in a ballot box.]

 

If you’re reading this, you probably already use VIP.... Not everyone does. If you have friends or family who are exhausted by the flood of unreliable information, talking points, and non-answers, then please share this post with them and encourage them to use the website.  

 

VIP is not like other voting information sources. We have no advertising, no hype, no spin, no pressure, no judgment. Here, you get information—no more, no less.  

 

VIP questions candidates for every race—even the smallest local races—for relevant information and gives you their words with no extra commentary. We research ballot initiatives, put them in plain English, and provide objective context.  Information on the judges is included. You get the information for all the races, and only the races/issues/judges, on your ballot. It’s not fast, because there’s a lot of information. But it is simple.  

 

And if the information is overwhelming, you have options. No one says you have to fill in every bubble on your ballot. 

 

Are you running out of time to read through everything that will be on your ballot? Skim through the options and read the ones that are most important to you. 

 

Is it hard to decide on some of the races? Then just vote in the races where you do have a firm decision.  

Are you asked to choose 3 candidates for school board, but you aren’t happy with 3 options? You don’t have to mark three. Pick the one or two that you are happy with.  

 

You have options for where, how, what, and who to vote for, and we’re here to support you. Don’t let the minority speak for you. Shut out all the campaign noise, take a deep breath, and sit down and read through the information. Then—let your voice be heard where it matters most.  

80 years ago on October 5, 1944, in a radio address to the nation, 
President Franklin Roosevelt said, 
"Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote 
except the American people themselves 
and the only way they could do this is by not voting."