Can now request Nebraska early general election ballots

Since Monday, July 8, county election offices in Nebraska are accepting early voting applications for the general election.

A Nebraska voter can either download the early voting application from the Nebraska Secretary of State’s website here , or they can request an application from their county election office. Contact information for each county election office is listed here .

The Nov. 5, 2024, election will be Nebraska’s first general election with voter ID. The new general election early voting applications have a section for voter ID information. A Nebraska voter can write down their Nebraska driver’s license or Nebraska state ID number, or they can enclose a photocopy of an acceptable ID with their early voting application. The voter should make sure to sign and return the early voting application to their county election office.

Once a county election office approves the early voter’s application and has accepted the ID information, the voter ID requirement is fulfilled.

“County election officials are prepared to help voters easily navigate the early voting process,” Secretary of State Bob Evnen said. “As we saw in the primary election, Nebraska voters understood the new voter ID law, and county election officials were ready to address any questions and concerns. Our office looks to repeat the smooth voter ID process for the general election.”

Voter ID in by-mail counties

By-mail counties will automatically send ballots to their registered voters. A voter in a by-mail county or by-mail precinct does not need to complete an early voting application. Instead, the voter will present their photo ID information when returning their ballot.

Counties that vote completely by mail include Boone, Cedar, Cherry, Clay, Dawes, Dixon, Garden, Knox, Merrick, Morrill and Stanton. Counties that have by-mail precincts include Cuming, Hamilton, Harlan, Nance, Phelps, Richardson, Thayer and Wayne.

A voter in a by-mail county or by-mail precinct will either write their driver’s license or state ID number under the flap of their return envelope, or they can enclose a photocopy of their photo ID in the return envelope. The envelope flap will shield their ID information.

Acceptable forms of photo ID:

Nebraska driver’s license

Nebraska state ID

United States passport

Military ID

Tribal ID

Hospital, assisted-living facility, intermediate care facility or nursing home record

Nebraska political subdivision ID (state, county, city, school, etc.)

Nebraska college or university ID (public or private)

Free state ID

A Nebraskan can get a free state ID from the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). A state ID cannot be issued to a Nebraskan who already has a current driver’s license. If the person was born in Nebraska and needs a free certified copy of their 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.

Voter ID resources

Nebraskans can learn more about the new voter ID law at voterID.nebraska.gov . Information and resources are provided in both English and Spanish.