Election administration in Nebraska

Election Information
Voter registration
Early voting
Absentee/mail-in voting
All-mail voting
Voter ID laws
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Election administration encompasses a state's voting policies and methods of enforcing them. These include voter identification requirements, early and absentee voting provisions, voter list maintenance methods, and more. Each state's voting policies dictate who can vote and under what conditions.

THE BASICS

Nebraska allows online voter registration.

Nebraska allows no-excuse absentee voting.

In Nebraska, polls are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Time and 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mountain Time.

Nebraska does not require photo identification to vote.

In Nebraska, a top-two primary system is used for the nonpartisan legislature and some other statewide races. All other primaries are semi-closed.

Nebraska has online tools for verifying voter registration and checking the status of absentee and provisional ballots.

Below, you will find details on the following election administration topics in Nebraska:

• Poll times
• Voter registration
• Early and absentee/mail-in voting policy
• Voter identification requirements
• Provisional ballot rules
• Primary election type
• Time off work for voting
• Voting rules for people convicted of a felony

• Voter list maintenance
• Post-election auditing
• Election policy ballot measures
• Election policy legislation
• Ballot access
• Redistricting
• Election administration agencies

Poll times

See also: State poll opening and closing times

In Nebraska, all polling locations are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Time and 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mountain Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote. Nebraska is divided between Central and Mountain time zones.

Voter registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To register to vote in Nebraska, each applicant must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the Nebraska county in which they are registering, and at least 18 years old by the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Citizens are eligible to register to vote on January 1 of the year they will turn 18 before the November general election. People convicted of a felony are ineligible to register to vote until two years after the terms of their sentence have been completed, and individuals who have been declared mentally incompetent by a court are ineligible to register to vote. A voter registration application can be completed in person at the county clerk or election commissioner's office, the Department of Motor Vehicles, or other state agencies. In-person registration must be completed by the third Friday preceding the election if completed at the DMV or other state agencies. In-person registration at county election offices must be completed by 6 p.m. on the second Friday before the election. Applications returned by mail must be postmarked by the third Friday before the election. Online applications must be submitted by midnight on the third Friday before the election.

Automatic registration

Nebraska does not practice automatic voter registration.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Nebraska has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website. The Nebraska State Senate enacted legislation allowing online voter registration in 2014, and the system was implemented in 2015.

Same-day registration

Nebraska does not allow same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

In Nebraska, citizens can register to vote the day they become residents of the state.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Nebraska does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration.

Verifying your registration

The Voter View site, run by the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Early and absentee voting policy

Early voting

See also: Early voting

Nebraska permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Absentee voting

See also: Absentee voting

The state of Nebraska refers to its no-excuse absentee voting option as early voting. All voters are eligible to vote absentee in Nebraska. There are no special eligibility requirements for voting absentee.

The last day to request an absentee ballot to be mailed is the Wednesday prior to Election Day at 4 p.m (CST). A returned absentee ballot must then be received by election officials by 8 p.m. (CST) on Election Day.

Returning absentee ballots

See also: Mail ballot collection and return laws by state

Absentee ballots in Nebraska can be returned by mail, in person, or by an agent designated by the voter. Ballots must arrive at an election office by the time the polls close on election day in order to be counted.

Signature requirements and cure provisions

Absentee ballots in Nebraska include a return envelope printed with an oath that must be signed by the voter. Unsigned ballots will not be counted. Nebraska does not have a cure provision, or a law allowing voters an opportunity to correct an issue with the signature on their absentee ballot.

Was your absentee ballot counted?

Nebraska voters can use the Absentee Ballot Search tool provided by the Nebraska Secretary of State to check the status of their absentee ballot.

Voter identification requirements

See also: Voter ID in Nebraska

See also: Voter identification laws by state

Nebraska does not require voters to present identification while voting.

Initiative 432, approved by Nebraska voters in November 2022, amended Article I of the state constitution to require voters to present valid photo identification in order to vote. Governor Jim Pillen (R) signed Legislative Bill 514 into law on June 1, 2023, in order to implement this policy change. Due to this legislation, Nebraska's voter ID requirement will take effect on April 1, 2024, allowing implementation in time for the state's 2024 primary.

Background

As of August 2023, 34 states required voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day. Of these states, 23 required voters to present identification containing a photograph, and 11 accepted other forms of identification. The remaining 16 states did not require voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day. Valid forms of identification differ by state. Commonly accepted forms include driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards, and military identification cards.

Provisional ballot rules

Voters in Nebraska are given provisional ballots, or ballots requiring additional steps or information before they can be counted, under the following circumstances.

(1) If the voter’s name "does not appear on the list of registered voters at the polling place for the precinct in which he or she resides," the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

(2) If the voter’s "name appears on the precinct list of registered voters at the polling place for the precinct in which he or she resides at a different residence address," the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

(3) If the voter’s "name appears with a notation that he or she received a ballot for early voting," the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

(4) If the voter’s "name appears on the precinct list of registered voters for the polling place with a notation that the voter is required to present identification pursuant to section 32-318.01 but fails to present identification," the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot

A provisional ballot is accepted in the following circumstances:

• If "the voter was properly registered in the county before the deadline for registration for the election";
• If "[t]he voter has resided in the county continuously since registering to vote in the county";
• If "[t]he voter has not voted anywhere else in the county or has not otherwise voted early using a ballot for early voting";
• If the voter has completed a registration application prior to voting and the voter’s residence is located within the precinct in which the person voted; and
• If "[t]he certification on the front of the envelope or form attached to the envelope is in the proper form and signed by the voter."

A provisional ballot is rejected in the following circumstances:

• If "the voter was not properly registered in the county before the deadline for registration for the election";
• If "the voter has resided, registered, or voted in any other county or state since registering to vote in the county in which he or she cast the provisional ballot";
• If "the voter has voted elsewhere or has otherwise voted early";
• If "[t]he voter failed to complete and sign a registration application";
• If the voter voted in the wrong precinct;
• "If the voter is voting in a primary election, the party affiliation on the registration application completed prior to voting the provisional ballot is different than the party affiliation that appears on the voter's voter registration record based on his or her previous registration application"; or
• "The voter failed to complete and sign the certification on the envelope or form attached to the envelope."

Was your provisional ballot counted?

Visit Nebraska’s Provisional Ballot Search tool to check the status of your provisional ballot.

Local election officials

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Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.

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Primary election type

See also: Primary elections in Nebraska

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. In Nebraska, a top-two primary system is used for the nonpartisan legislature and some other statewide races. All other primaries are semi-closed.

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Time off work for voting

In Nebraska, employers must grant employee requests for paid time off to vote, which, when combined with a non-work period, amounts to two hours. Employers may specify when employees take time off:

“

Any registered voter who does not have two consecutive hours in the period between the time of the opening and closing of the polls during which he or she is not required to be present at work for an employer shall be entitled on election day to be absent from employment for such a period of time as will in addition to his or her nonworking time total two consecutive hours between the time of the opening and closing of the polls. If the registered voter applies for such leave of absence prior to or on election day, the registered voter shall not be liable for any penalty and no deduction shall be made from his or her salary or wages on account of such absence. The employer may specify the hours during which the employee may be absent.

”

As of 2020, 28 states had laws requiring employers to provide time off for voting under certain conditions.

Voting rules for people convicted of a felony

See also: Voting rights for convicted felons

In Nebraska, people convicted of a felony regain their voting rights two years after they complete their probation. For more information on Nebraska's voting restoration rules, click here and here.

Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.

Voter list maintenance

All states have rules under which they maintain voter rolls—or, check and remove certain names from their lists of registered voters. Most states are subject to the parameters set by The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). The NVRA requires states to make efforts to remove deceased individuals and individuals who have become ineligible due to a change of address. It prohibits removing registrants from voter lists within 90 days of a federal election due to change of address unless a registrant has requested to be removed, or from removing people from voter lists solely because they have not voted. The NVRA says that states may remove names from their registration lists under certain other circumstances and that their methods for removing names must be uniform and nondiscriminatory.

When names can be removed from the voter list

Nebraska law authorizes election officials to remove the names of voters from the registered voting list if an individual:

• dies
• is found mentally incompetent by a court
• is convicted of a felony
• confirms in writing that they have moved outside of their voting jurisdiction
• requests in writing to be removed
• does not respond to a confirmation notice and fails to vote in two consecutive federal general elections.

Inactive voter list rules

Nebraska law requires the Secretary of State’s office and county election officials to conduct voter registration maintenance programs biennially, using National Change of Address data and other address and registration verification resources. If an individual is determined to have moved, county election officials are to send them a forwardable confirmation notice. Election officials are to remove the voter from the registration list if they fail to respond and do not vote in the following two federal general elections. In addition, if county election officials receive mail returned from a voter as undeliverable during a biennial mailing to all registered voters, a forwardable confirmation is to be sent. Election officials are to remove the voter from the registration list if they fail to respond and do not vote in the following two federal general elections.

The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)

See also: Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)

According to its website, ERIC is a nonprofit corporation that is governed by a board of member-states. These member states submit voter registration and motor vehicle registration information to ERIC. ERIC uses this information, as well as Social Security death records, to provide member states with detailed reports showing voters who have moved within their state, moved out of their state, died, have duplicate registrations in their state, or are potentially eligible to vote but are not yet registered. ERIC's website describes its funding as follows: "Each state pays annual dues, which are determined by a formula approved by the ERIC membership. The formula includes a state's citizen voting age population as a factor."

By 2022, 33 states and the District of Columbia had joined ERIC. As of August 2023, 26 states and the District of Columbia were members in the ERIC program.

As of August 2023, Nebraska was not participating in the ERIC program.

Post-election auditing

Nebraska state law does not require post-election audits. However, the secretary of state can choose to conduct an audit. The secretary must randomly select a minimum of 2 percent of precincts and audit one federal race, one statewide race, and one local race. Discrepancies are detailed in a report given to the secretary of state’s office.

Post-election audits check that election results tallied by a state's voting system match results from paper records, such as paper ballots filled out by voters or the paper records produced by electronic voting machines. Post-election audits are classified into two categories: audits of election results—which include traditional post-election audits as well as risk-limiting audits—and procedural audits.

Typically, traditional post-election audits are done by recounting a portion of ballots, either electronically or by hand, and comparing the results to those produced by the state's voting system. In contrast, risk-limiting audits use statistical methods to compare a random sample of votes cast to election results instead of reviewing every ballot. The scope of procedural audits varies by state, but they typically include a systematic review of voting equipment, performance of the voting system, vote totals, duties of election officials and workers, ballot chain of custody, and more.

As of December 2023, 41 states and the District of Columbia required some form of post-election audit. Of these, 36 states and the District of Columbia required traditional post-election audits, three states required risk-limiting post-election audits, and two states required procedural post-election audits.

Election policy ballot measures

See also: Elections and campaigns on the ballot and List of Nebraska ballot measures

Ballotpedia has tracked the following ballot measures relating to election and campaign policy in Nebraska.

1. Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Election, Amendment 1 (2000)
2. Nebraska Voting on Merging Governments, Amendment 10 (1896)
3. Nebraska Voting Methods, Amendment 11 (1896)
4. Nebraska Voting on Internal Improvement and Manufacturing Donations, Amendment 12 (1896)
5. Nebraska Voting Requirements, Amendment 1 (1910)
6. Nebraska Biennial Elections, Amendment 4 (1912)
7. Nebraska Voting Requirements, Amendment 1 (1918)
8. Nebraska Direct Primaries, Referendum 1 (1920)
9. Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Elections, Amendment 17 (September 1920)
10. Nebraska Soldier Suffrage, Amendment 19 (September 1920)
11. Nebraska Election of University Regents, Amendment 22 (September 1920)
12. Nebraska Direct Primaries, Referendum 3 (1922)
13. Nebraska Voter Registration, Referendum 4 (1922)
14. Nebraska Direct Primaries and Nonpartisan Elections, Amendment 1 (1924)
15. Nebraska Publication of Constitutional Amendments, Amendment 6 (1952)
16. Nebraska Elections of Executive Officers, Amendment 4 (1960)
17. Nebraska Judicial Districts and Elections, Amendment 6 (1960)
18. Nebraska Commissioner of Education, Amendment 9 (1960)
19. Nebraska State Railway Commission, Amendment 2 (1962)
20. Nebraska Commissioner of Education, Amendment 1 (1964)
21. Nebraska Voting Age, Amendment 1 (1968)
22. Nebraska Election Jurisdiction, Amendment 4 (1968)
23. Nebraska Special Constitutional Amendment Elections, Amendment 5 (1968)
24. Nebraska Voting Age, Amendment 1 (1970)
25. Nebraska Joint Elections for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Amendment 13b (1970)
26. Nebraska Voting Age, Amendment 8 (May 1972)
27. Nebraska Elections of Senators, Amendment 10 (May 1972)
28. Nebraska Resident Requirements for Voters, Amendment 15a (May 1972)
29. Nebraska Military Duty on Election Day, Amendment 15b (May 1972)
30. Nebraska Voting Methods, Amendment 15c (May 1972)
31. Nebraska Signature Requirements for Initiatives, Amendment 3a (1988)
32. Nebraska Voter Age Requirements, Amendment 3b (1988)
33. Nebraska Rules Governing Initiative Signatures, Measure 410 (1996)
34. Nebraska Judicial Elections, Amendment 3B (1998)
35. Nebraska Two Votes to Amend Constitution, Amendment 3A (2000)

Recent legislation related to election administration in Nebraska

The table below lists bills related to election administration that have been introduced during (or carried over to) the current legislative session in Nebraska. The following information is included for each bill:

• State
• Bill number
• Official name or caption
• Most recent action date
• Legislative status
• Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized alphabetically, first by state and then by bill number. The table displays up to 100 results by default. To view additional results, use the arrows in the upper-right corner of the table. For more information about a particular bill, click the bill number. This will open a separate page with additional information.

Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker

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The Ballot Bulletin

The Ballot Bulletin is a weekly email that delivers the latest updates on election policy. The Ballot Bulletin tracks developments in election policy around the country, including legislative activity, big-picture trends, and recent news. Each email contains in-depth data from our Election Administration Legislation Tracker. You'll also be able to track relevant legislation, with links to and summaries of the bills themselves.

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Ballot access

See also: Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Nebraska

A cardboard ballot box at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History

In order to get on the ballot in Nebraska, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Nebraska. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, see "Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Nebraska." Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

The Nebraska Legislature is the only state legislature in the United States that operates as a unicameral body. Consequently, the legislature is often referred to as "the unicameral" or "the uni" by state residents (see "State legislature" below for more information). It is also the only legislature that specifically requires candidates to run on nonpartisan ballots.

Redistricting

See also: Redistricting in Nebraska

"Gerrymandering"

Redistricting is the process by which new congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn. Each of Nebraska's three United States Representatives and 49 state legislators are elected from political divisions called districts. United States Senators are not elected by districts, but by the states at large. District lines are redrawn every 10 years following completion of the United States census. The federal government stipulates that districts must have nearly equal populations and must not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity.

Nebraska was apportioned 3 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, the same number it received after the 2010 census.

HIGHLIGHTS

Following the 2020 United States Census, Nebraska was apportioned three congressional districts, which was unchanged from the number it had after the 2010 census.

Nebraska's state legislators are elected from 49 districts.

Both congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature.

State process

See also: State-by-state redistricting procedures

In Nebraska, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. A simple majority is required to approve a redistricting plan, which is subject to veto by the governor.

The Nebraska Constitution requires that state legislative districts "be contiguous and compact, and they keep to county boundaries 'whenever practicable.'"

On April 8, 2011, the state legislature approved the following redistricting guidelines:

1. Congressional districts should be held to the same aforementioned constitutional requirements as state legislative districts.
2. Both congressional and state legislative districts should be "understandable to voters, preserve the cores of prior districts, and keep to boundaries of cities and villages when feasible."
3. District boundaries "should not be established with the intention of favoring a political party, other group or any person."

The legislature is entitled to amend these guidelines at its discretion.

Election administration agencies

Election agencies

Seal of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission

See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in Nebraska can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.

Nebraska Election Officials

Click here for a list

Nebraska Secretary of State

State Capitol, Third Floor, 1445 K Street

Lincoln, Nebraska 68508-2731

Telephone: 402-471-2555

Email: sos.elect@ne.gov

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200

Washington, DC 20001

Telephone: 301-563-3919

Toll free: 1-866-747-1471

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Recall

Democratic primaries 2024

• United States Senate Democratic Party primaries, 2024
• United States House Democratic Party primaries, 2024
• Democratic Party gubernatorial primaries, 2024
• Democratic Party Secretary of State primaries, 2024
• Democratic Party Attorney General primaries, 2024
• State legislative Democratic primaries, 2024

Republican primaries 2024

• United States Senate Republican Party primaries, 2024
• United States House Republican Party primaries, 2024
• Republican Party gubernatorial primaries, 2024
• Republican Party Secretary of State primaries, 2024
• Republican Party Attorney General primaries, 2024
• State legislative Republican primaries, 2024

See also

• 2024 election dates and deadlines
• Voting in Nebraska
• Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Nebraska
• Redistricting in Nebraska

Elections in Nebraska

• Nebraska elections, 2023
• Nebraska elections, 2022
• Nebraska elections, 2021
• Nebraska elections, 2020
• Nebraska elections, 2019
• Nebraska elections, 2018
• Nebraska elections, 2017
• Nebraska elections, 2016
• Nebraska elections, 2015
• Nebraska elections, 2014

External links

• Nebraska Secretary of State - Elections