Bill would clarify when political parties can nominate

Senators gave first-round approval Feb. 17 to a bill that seeks to clarify when a political party can nominate a candidate.

Under LB368, sponsored by Bancroft Sen. Lydia Brasch, political parties would be prohibited from nominating a candidate for an office at a state post-primary convention if the party did not nominate a candidate for the office at the primary election. An exemption would be provided for new political parties.

Parties would be able to nominate candidates at a convention in cases of a special election or a vacancy on the ballot.

Brasch said the bill would ensure that political parties do not bypass the primary process by placing a candidate on a ballot when no vacancy exists.

“I believe that primaries are vital to our political process,” she said.

LB368 advanced to select file on a 37-0 vote.