Voting Guide
Voting by Mail (Absentee Voting)
Any registered Nebraska voter can request an absentee ballot and vote by mail. Use this Early Voting information for help on Early Voting.
You can vote early by filling out an Early Voting Form. You’ll simply download the Application, fill it out, and return it to this office via mail or email.
You can request a ballot to be mailed not more than 120 days before an election, and up until the 2nd Friday before an election.
Voting in Person
You can vote at your polling place on Election Day; polls are open 8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Check your Polling Place – Precinct and Polling Location
Information for Student Voters
Students who attend a college or university in Nebraska may register to vote in their school’s district and cast ballots in local elections. Alternatively, they may choose to remain registered in their hometown using their parents’ address.
How to Vote in College: Know Your Rights
Nebraska’s voter ID law
Registered voters must present a valid photo ID for their vote to count.
Nebraskans can use any of the IDs listed below for voting:
- Nebraska driver’s license or state ID
- Nebraska college or university ID (public or private)
- Nebraska political subdivision ID (state/county/city/public school ID)
- Passport
- Military ID
- Tribal ID
- Hospital, assisted living facility, nursing home or any other skilled care facility record
People can get a free state ID for voting purposes 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.
Find voter ID educational material on the Secretary of State’s website.
Voting Frequently Asked Questions
Does everyone have to be registered to vote?
In Nebraska, registration is required to be eligible to vote, the only exception is during Presidential elections. If you have recently moved to Nebraska or moved to another state after the registration deadline, then you may only vote a Presidential ballot. See Voter Registration.
How do I apply for a ballot in another county in Nebraska?
If you are temporarily living in the county, you may register and vote in your “hometown”. Call or write your county clerk or election commissioner to request a ballot.
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, contact your county clerk/election commissioner, or check Voterview. 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 or my ID to vote?
All statewide and special elections require voter ID. For more information, please visit our Voter ID page.
Am I able to vote if I did not re-register?
Registered voters who moved from one residence to another in the same county, or who changed their name and remained in the same county will be allowed to vote at the polling place designated for their new residence. These voters may be asked to cast a Provisional Ballot upon completing a certification and new registration form.
Persons casting Provisional Ballots may check to see if their ballot was counted. They can check seven business days after the election by visiting Votercheck or calling toll free 1-888-727-0007. Provisional Ballots are counted only if the information the voter provided on their certification forms was verified.
Persons moving from one county in Nebraska to another county in Nebraska must re-register in their new county in order to be eligible to vote.
How does a person vote?
Registered voters go to their assigned polling place where there will be three or more poll workers at a table checking voters in. Voters will be asked for their name and the residence address where they are living. In primary elections, voters will also be asked to name their party. Upon verifying the voter’s information, the election workers will provide the voter with their ballot(s) assigned to persons living in their district and instructions on how to cast a ballot.
In Nebraska, all counties use optical scan ballots; so voters are instructed to darken the oval completely, not to erase or cross out and return to the table if they have spoiled their ballot and need a new one. Ballots are tabulated at the precinct level using DS200’s in 1/5 of our counties and centrally counted in larger counties using a DS450 or a DS850.
Why should an election official place my ballot in the ballot box rather than doing it myself?
Nebraska state law requires this procedure to help ensure that only the properly issued ballots are deposited in the ballot box (32-916).
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 the voter may request the assistance of two election board workers one each of a different party.
In addition, a ballot marking device call the ExpressVote is available to assist voters at every polling place. The ExpressVote allows the voter to have all contests and candidates read to them through headphones. Or the voter can choose to enlarge the print making it easier to view. In addition, it provides a touch screen voters may use if desired which will then print the voter’s selection on the paper ballot that was issued to them by the Receiving Board. The ExpressVote prints out the paper ballot and does not record how a voter voted. The paper ballot can be reinserted into the ExpressVote where the voter’s choices can be reviewed if desired. Reinserting the paper ballot does not allow the voter to change their choices. Once finished, the ballot is deposited in the ballot box with all other ballots to be counted.
Are the polling places accessible?
Yes. All polling places are handicap accessible. You can ask for your ballot to be brought to your vehicle if it is difficult for you to get into the polling place.
Can I wear a campaign t-shirt, political badges or insignia to my polling place on election day?
No one may campaign, hand out political literature, or circulate petitions within 200 feet of a polling place. Bringing buttons, hats, pencils, pens, shirts, signs, or stickers containing a candidate’s name, likeness, logo, symbol or a ballot measure’s number, title, subject matter, logo, or symbol into the polling place on Election Day is against the law.
Persons may call their County Election Official or the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office Election Division at (888) 727-0007 (toll free) or (402) 471-2555 to report problems.
Can Nonpartisan (Independent) voters vote during a primary?
Yes, if you are registered as nonpartisan there are still races you can vote on. There are many state and local races that are nonpartisan such as State Legislature, State Board of Education, Board of Regents, etc.
Additionally, nonpartisans may at the time of receiving their ballot request a ballot for federal races only (Senate and House of Representatives) of one recognized political party. If a political party chooses to allow nonpartisan voters to vote in their primary, a nonpartisan voter may request at the time of receiving their ballot that they would like the full ballot for one of the political party who opened up their primary.
For more information on voting in primary elections as a nonpartisan, including which recognized parties have opened up their primary to nonpartisans, please visit our “How nonpartisan voting works in Nebraska primary elections” page.