VOTING
About Voting
Voting is our most basic right, guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The League of Women Voters of Nebraska was founded in 1920, during the final year of the women’s suffrage movement that culminated with the ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.
However, the 19th Amendment did not finish the job of extending voter rights to all citizens. Chinese Americans, Asian Americans, Japanese Americans and Native Americans were not considered citizens until years after the 15th and 19th Amendments – which state that the rights of citizens to vote cannot be denied on the account of race or sex – were ratified. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed discriminatory voting barriers adopted in many Southern states, primarily to prevent African Americans from voting. However, in 2013, key provisions of the Voting Rights Act were struck down in the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in Shelby County vs. Holder.
Thus, we still struggle today to make sure that all U.S. citizens have the right to cast their ballots. The LWVNE continues its work to support voting rights and educate Nebraska citizens on the issues. We conduct voter registrations; provide a statewide online candidate information guide via VOTE411.org; and fight to expand Vote by Mail and restoration of voting rights.
Why Vote
Vote because elections matter.
Vote because elections aren’t simply about your representatives in Washington, DC, or who is president. Who you choose to lead your local and state governments will have an impact on the life of your community.
Voting matters to you, your family and your neighbors.
Stand up and let your Vote Count!
Know Your Voting Rights in Nebraska
The League created this voting rights brochure so that Nebraska residents will understand voting laws and rules specific to Nebraska . You can print out a PDF of Know Your Voting Rights in Nebraska
Conozca sus derechos a votar en Nebraska
La Liga creó este folleto de derechos electorales para que los residentes de Nebraska entiendan las leyes y reglas electorales específicas de Nebraska. Puede imprimir un PDF de Conozca sus derechos electorales en Nebraska
Voting is Your Civic Right and Responsibility
REGISTERING TO VOTE:
- If you are a citizen of the United States and you will be 18 years old on or before the first Tuesday, following the first Monday in November, you are eligible to vote and should register.
Register to vote online here.
APPLYING FOR EARLY MAIL-IN BALLOT:
- Any registered voter in Nebraska may apply for an early voting ballot (also known as a vote-by-mail or mail-in ballot) and is not required to provide a reason for the request.To receive a ballot via the mail, an early voting application is required for each election. These forms can be filled out online, but must be printed and mailed to your county election official)Request an early mail-in ballot here.
- Once you receive your early voting ballot, it MUST arrive at your Election Commissioner or County Clerk’s office by the close of polls on Election Day. Ballots may be mailed or taken to a drop box at your county office.
- See how easy it is to Vote by Mail in the video below.
DROP BOXES FOR YOUR EARLY MAIL-IN BALLOT:
- Drop boxes are available in all Nebraska counties. Douglas, Sarpy and Lancaster counties have multiple drop boxes.
Find a list of drop box locations in all Nebraska counties here.
OVERSEAS VOTERS:
RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS:
- Returning citizens can have their voting rights reinstated two years after completing all sentencing provisions including any probation, prison time and/or parole. Legal Status & Voting Rights in Nebraska as of October 2019
- Returning citizens voting rights – Know Your Rights.
- Locked Out 2020: Estimates of People Denied Voting Rights Due to a Felony Conviction.
VOTE411.ORG
- See what’s on your ballot.
- View and compare candidate information.
- Check your voter registration.
- Find your polling place.
- Discover upcoming debates in your area.
- And much more!