Changes to early voting procedures proposed

Increased voter engagement is the focus of a bill heard by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan. 23.

Under LB41, introduced by Omaha Sen. Tanya Cook, county election commissioners and clerks would be required to:
• maintain a permanent early voting request list;
• outline procedures for the permanent early voting request list; and
• establish that a ballot received for early voting by mail may be returned by hand to the registered voter’s designated polling place on the day of the election.

Cook said access to early voting mechanisms would strengthen and preserve the democratic election process by increasing voter turnout.

“Early voting by mail is vital to the continued participation by all voting groups, including the growing elderly population and service men and women,” she said. “This bill will help these Nebraskans continue their engagement with our democracy.”

Nebraskans for Civic Reform director Adam Morfeld testified in support of LB41. He said the bill would increase voter turnout in all elections.

“Increased accessibility to elections should always be a priority,” Morfeld said. “When people automatically receive ballots, we see increased voter turnout in smaller or off-cycle elections.”

Wayne Bena, Sarpy County election commissioner, testified in opposition to the bill saying local control should decide early voting procedures.

“It should be the decision of the county election commissioner and the county board if they have the means and resources to maintain a permanent list,” he said. “There may be no fiscal impact to the state, but there is definitely a fiscal impact to my office.”

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.