Voter Information Frequently Asked Questions

Voter Registration

Early Voting

Election Day

 

Voter Registration

Do I have to be registered to vote?

• Yes, voter registration is required in Nebraska to be eligible to vote.
• The only exception is at a Presidential election for persons who have recently moved to Nebraska, or moved to another state after that state's registration deadline. They may vote a Presidential-only ballot by contacting the county election official.

What determines my eligibility to vote?

To register to vote in Nebraska, you must:

• Be a United States Citizen;
• Be at least 18 years of age on or before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November;
• Live in the State of Nebraska;
• Have not been convicted of a felony, or if convicted, at least two years have passed since the completion of your sentence for the felony including any parole term;
• Have not been officially found to be mentally incompetent.

Do I have to be a resident for a certain amount of time to register?

No, you may register to vote the same day you become a resident of the State of Nebraska

How do I register to vote?

• You may register in person at the local county clerk/election commissioner's office during normal business hours.
• You may register by mail. Voter registration applications are available at several locations throughout the state, including banks, post offices and libraries. Additionally, a voter registration application can be printed off this Web site for your use.
• You may register through the state Department of Motor Vehicles when applying for or renewing your driver's license.
• You may register through the state Department of Health and Human Services and state Department of Education at the time of application, review or change of address in connection with public assistance programs.
• You must sign and return your voter registration application to your county clerk/election commissioner's office.

What is the registration deadline?

• Mail-in voter registrations must be mailed and postmarked on or before the third Friday preceding an election.
• Voter registrations delivered by personal messenger or personal agent must arrive on or before the third Friday preceding an election
• Individuals may register in person at the county clerk/election commissioner's office prior to 6 p.m. on the second Friday preceding an election.

Must I designate a party affiliation?

• If you wish to vote in partisan races for state and local candidates in the primary election, you must declare your party affiliation.
• The Democratic and Republican parties are the only statewide recognized parties.
• Party designation has no bearing when voting the non-partisan ballot or in the general election.

Are there situations where I would need to re-register?

You must re-register whenever you change

• Your name,
• Your address, or
• Your political party affiliation.
• Failure to vote in a previous election does not require re-registration

Will I receive notice that my mail-in registration has been accepted and processed?

• Yes, if you completed the form correctly and mailed it by the deadline (third Friday prior to the election), you will receive an acknowledgment from the election official that you are properly registered.
• If you have questions on your registration, call your county clerk/election commissioner.

How is residence determined?

• By law, your residence is that place at which you have established a home, where you are habitually present, and to which, when you depart, you intend to return.
• Leaving for temporary purposes, such as military service or school attendance, need not result in a change of residence for voting purposes.
• However, any permanent change in your residence or address will require you to re-register to vote.

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EARLY VOTING IN NEBRASKA

(Formerly Absentee Voting)

Who may apply for an Early Voting ballot?

Any voter may apply for an Early Voting ballot.

Do I need to give a reason why I am voting early when applying for Early Voting ballots?

No, since 1999 Nebraska law has not required a person disclose a reason for their request on the Early Voting application.

How do I apply for and vote an Early Voting ballot?

You can apply for an early voting ballot by contacting your County Clerk or Election Commissioner in person at the election office, by personal agent, by mail or by fax.

How do I apply by mail?

• Print the on-line early voting application request form. Complete the form; then mail or fax it to your County Clerk or Election Commissioner. Addresses and available fax numbers provided by clicking here.
  
• Write to your County Clerk or Election Commissioner, including:
  o Your name and residence address,
  o Your political party affiliation,
  o Your voting precinct, if known,
  o Your phone number,
  o The mailing address you want the ballots sent to, and
  o Your signature.

Is there a process to assist military and overseas citizens in obtaining Early Voting ballots by mail?

Nebraska participates in the Federal Voting Assistance Program for our military personnel and overseas citizens. If you need assistance with military or overseas ballots, please click here.

When may I apply for an Early Voting ballot?

• All county election offices will accept Early Voting applications up to 120 days prior to a statewide Primary or General election. However, regular Early Voting ballots are not sent out or voted until 35 days before the Election.
• The last day to request an Early Voting ballot to be mailed is the Wednesday prior to Election Day at 4 p.m.
• The Monday before Election Day is the last day to cast an early voting ballot at the County Election Office.

When must the Early Voting ballot be returned to the Election Office?

All Early Voting ballots whether personally delivered, delivered by agent or delivered by mail or other carriers must arrive by the closing of the polls on Election Day. (8:00 p.m. Central and 7:00 p.m. Mountain time)

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Election Day

Where do I vote?

Each voter must cast his/her ballot at his/her assigned polling place.  If you do not know the location of your polling place, call your county clerk/election commissioner.

Whenever you register or re-register to vote, your county clerk/election commissioner will inform you of your polling place location. Your voting card informs you not only of your polling place, but also your voting districts.

Do I need a voting card in order to vote?

No, the card is for information only and does not need to be presented to election officials in order to vote.

What time will the polls open?

The polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Central Time Zone and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Mountain Time Zone.

Am I able to vote if I did not re-register?

Yes, if you have a current voter registration on file in the county you reside, you can go to your new polling place and vote on Election Day if it is in the same county. You will be asked to complete a new registration card before voting a provisional ballot.  Provisional ballots will only be counted if your voter registration is verified.

Can voters receive assistance in voting?

Voters who cannot read, are blind or have a physical disability may request assistance in marking their ballots. The voter may have a friend or relative assist them or he/she may request the assistance of two election board workers, one each of a different party.

Can I campaign at my polling place?

No one may campaign or hand out political literature within 200 feet of a polling place.  No one should wear political badges or insignia into the polling place on Election Day.

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