Election measure approved

Senators gave final approval May 28 to the state’s annual election cleanup bill.

LB521, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Rita Sanders, contains recommended updates to the Nebraska Election Act as suggested by the secretary of state’s office.

Among other provisions, the bill specifies the form and contents for petitions for partisan and nonpartisan candidates for President of the United States and other elective offices, as well as petitions for the establishment of a new political party.

The bill also provides for notice to a voter from an election commissioner or county clerk satisfying a request from that voter to cancel their voter registration and specifies a procedure for circumstances where a qualified candidate declines placement on a general election ballot.

The measure includes provisions of three additional election proposals:
• LB19, sponsored by Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, which allows primary and metropolitan class cities to change the timing of city elections;
• LB243, introduced by Sanders, which makes technical changes; and
• LB659, sponsored by Sen. Bob Andersen of Omaha, which requires an election commissioner or county clerk using a vote counting device to conduct at least three independent tests before counting begins.

LB521 passed on a 49-0 vote and takes effect immediately.