Election law changes approved
Lawmakers gave final approval May 14 to a bill that makes a number of technical changes to the state’s election laws.
Among other changes, LB575, sponsored by Gretna Sen. John Murante, will:
• 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• remove outdated language regarding county commissioners;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;
• allow poll workers to allocate their pay to a nonprofit entity;
• remove primary election information from early voter return envelopes;
• require election commissioners in counties with a population more than 100,000 to wait 30 days after leaving office before running for or holding elective office;
• add language allowing the Nebraska secretary of state to designate a meeting location within the Capitol building for state canvassing board meetings; and
• allow the state Department of Motor Vehicles to furnish commercial driver’s license information to the secretary of state’s office for election law purposes.
The bill contains provisions of LB578, introduced by Murante, which will:
• 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 bill also contains provisions of two additional bills:
• LB514, originally introduced by Omaha Sen. Joni Craighead, which adds 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 permits election by mail for special elections involving candidates.
LB575 passed on a vote of 43-2.
