Election law changes advance

A bill that makes a number of technical changes to the state’s election laws advanced from general file April 23.

Gretna Sen. John Murante, sponsor of LB575, said the bill is a “clean up” effort on behalf of the secretary of state, election commissioners and county clerks across Nebraska.

“It is the compilation of a lot of hard work from a lot of people,” he said.

As introduced, LB575 would:
• clarify that vacancies for all offices must be filled within 45 days;
• replace “a majority” with “one-half or more” for vacancies that trigger special election;
• replace 10 days prior to election with “second Friday” as the deadline for write-in affidavits;
• allow early voting requests to be submitted via e-mail;
• require voter history to be completed within 30 days rather than 60 days after an election;
• remove outdated language regarding county commissioners;
• close the potential for fusion candidates;
• remove primary election information from early voter return envelopes; and
• add language allowing the Nebraska secretary of state to designate a meeting location within the Capitol building for state canvassing board meetings.

Murante explained that a fusion candidate, which exist in some states, is a candidate for political office that holds the nomination for more than one political party. He said LB575 would clarify that fusion candidates are not permissible in Nebraska.

A Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee amendment, adopted 32-0, would make several additional technical changes.

The amendment added provisions of LB578, introduced by Murante, which would:
• allow poll workers to choose not to be paid or to allocate their pay to an organization contracted to recruit poll works;
• allow election officials and members of law enforcement to make copies of a voter’s registration form for list maintenance and law enforcement purposes;
• allow for the removal of certain information on an early ballot application; and
• raise the minimum rate that a political subdivision can be charged for an election from $50 to $100.

The amendment also added provisions of two additional bills:
LB514, originally introduced by Omaha Sen. Joni Craighead, which would add an option for voters who wish to register to vote and vote early on the same day; and
LB319, introduced by Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion, which would permit election by mail for special elections involving candidates.

The bill advanced to select file on a 34-0 vote.