Legislature Defeats Effort to Change Nonpartisan Secret Ballot to Elect Committee Chairs

By a vote of 30 to 19 on Jan. 21, the Nebraska Legislature defeated a floor amendment to change the Unicameral’s internal rules that allow  for committee chairs and the speaker to be elected through a secret ballot.

The League believes that the use of the secret ballot to elect committee chairs is vital to the nonpartisan nature of the Unicameral. The secret ballot helps eliminate partisan pressure on senators and allows them to make the decision as individuals representing the best interests of the people of Nebraska. The nonpartisan nature of the Unicameral is unique to Nebraska and enables our Legislature to focus on the priorities of its people.