Nebraskans can now submit early voting applications for statewide primary

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraskans can submit early voting applications starting Tuesday for the statewide primary in May.

Voters can download the application from the Nebraska Secretary of State’s website or request one from their county election office.

The Secretary of State’s office is reminding voters to follow the new voter ID requirements, which were passed in a 2022 ballot initiative.

“There are important changes to how Nebraskans will vote in the statewide primary,” Nebraska Secretary Bob Evnen said in a press release.  “Every Nebraska voter should be thinking about how voter ID will impact their voting plan, whether that will be presenting an ID in the early voting process or showing up to the polls with an acceptable form of ID.”

County election offices will start mailing out early voting ballots on April 8, officials said.  Early in-person voting, which doesn’t require an application, begins on April 15.

Lancaster County Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen said voting early makes sure your voice is heard even if you can’t make it to the polls on election day.

“Election day, something may happen,” he said. “People, their work commitments, family commitments, their issues in their everyday life may not allow them to vote on election day.”

Officials said people filling out their early voting application will need to do the following:

• The voter can write their driver’s license or state ID number on the application.
• OR The voter can attach a photocopy of their acceptable form of ID to the application.
  • The photocopy must be returned with the application, whether the voter returns the documents in person, by mail, by email or by fax.
• OR If the voter does not have an ID and cannot get an ID because of a disability, illness or religious objection to being photographed, the voter can attach their completed reasonable impediment certification to the application.

The ID must have the voter’s name and photo, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

• Nebraska driver’s license
• Nebraska state ID (from the DMV)
• United States Passport
• Military ID
• Tribal ID
• Hospital, assisted-living facility or nursing home record
• Nebraska political subdivision ID (state, county, city, school, etc.)
• Nebraska college or university ID (public or private)

More information on voter ID can be found on the state’s website.