First early voters ballots mailed Monday; still time to apply for yours

On Monday the Nuckolls County Clerk’s office which supervises all elections in Nuckolls County mailed this year’s first early voting ballots for the May 14 statewide primary to voters who completed early voting applications and fulfilled the new voter ID requirement.

Carrie Miller, county election officer, said, “Voters have two options to fulfill the new voter ID requirement during the early voting application process:

Voters can write their driver’s license or state ID number on their early voting application, or voters can submit their early voting application with a photocopy of their acceptable photo ID.

This issue of Nuckolls County’s two newspapers, The Superior Express and the Nuckolls County Locomotive-Gazette, contain sample ballots and an application for early voting ballots. All voters, whether they chose the early ballot option or go to the polls on election day, are encouraged to review the sample ballots and decided how they are voting before beginning to mark the actual ballot.

The county election office is now working with voters who did not successfully complete the new voter ID requirement.

“With the new voter ID law now in effect, Nebraskans who cast a ballot in the May 14th primary will be making history,” Secretary of State Bob Evnen said. “Voters are following the new voter ID requirement, and county election officials are doing a tremendous job working with voters. They are ensuring every voter can cast their ballot securely and independently while adhering to the new voter ID law.”

Most voters are writing their Nebraska driver’s license or state ID on the early voting application. Once the voter completes the voter ID requirement on their application, the requirement is fulfilled, and they will be mailed their early voting ballot.

Registered Nebraska voters can still request an early voting ballot by sending their completed early voting application to their county election office. The application form is printed in this newspaper.

Nuckolls County voters must return their early voting ballots (either by mail or by secure drop box located in the courthouse parking lot) by 8 p.m. Central Time on Election Day – May 14, 2024.

Secretary Evnen reminds voters to have a voting plan for the primary election. Be prepared to vote with one of the following acceptable IDs: Nebraska driver’s license, Nebraska state ID, U.S. 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).

The ID must have the voter’s name and photo. IDs can be expired. The new law does not require Nebraska voters to re-register to vote.

Nebraskans can get a free state ID at from the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If the person was born in Nebraska and needs a free certified copy of their Nebraska birth certificate . To get a free state ID, they can contact the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). A birth certificate is not a valid form of voter ID.

April 29 is the last day to register to vote online (by midnight), at the DMV, at DHHS, at the Department of Education, via agent, via deputy registrar or by mail (voter registration application must be postmarked by April 29, 2024.)

May 3 is the last day to register to vote in person at the county election office (6 p.m. local time).

May 13 is the last day to vote in person at the county election office in the courthouse at Nelson.

May 14 is election day and the last day county election offices will accept early voting ballots via mail or secure drop box.