For more information on your ballot, visit Civic Nebraska’s Decoding the Ballot resource.

The 2024 Nebraska Primary Election took place on May 14.

The General Election will take place on November 5.

October 18:

• Last day to register online
• Last day to register by mail or dropbox

October 25:

• Deadline to register in-person
• Last day to request an absentee ballot

November 4:

• Last day for in-person early voting. Early voting takes place at your county election commission office, which can be located here.

November 5:

• Election day! Polls will be open 8am-8pm CT and 7am-7pm MT
• Last day to return absentee ballot. All early voting ballots, whether dropped off personally, delivered by agent, or delivered by mail must arrive by the closing of the polls on Election Day: 8pm CT and 7pm MT. We recommend getting your absentee ballot in the mail at least a week before election day.

Please note: If you have missed the registration cut off for the election, any updates to your registration won’t take effect until after the election.

In April, we celebrated the passage of LB 20 and the restoration of immediate voting rights to Nebraskans who had completed felony sentences. Unfortunately, after an opinion issued by Nebraska Attorney General Hilgers, thousands of formerly-incarcerated Nebraskans have had their voting rights called into question. Visit GetMyVoteBack.org today for updates on LB 20 and information about voter eligibility for Nebraskans with past felony convictions.

For many voters, especially transgender, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming Nebraskans, the new voter ID requirements raise questions about barriers to civic participation. We believe all Nebraskans should feel empowered and confident at the ballot box.

Q: When do the voter ID requirements go into effect?

A: This upcoming primary election, which will take place on May 14, is the first election to require voter identification. All future special and statewide elections will require voter ID.

Q: What kind of identification is acceptable?

A: Several different kinds of photo identification will work for the purposes of voter ID. The Nebraska Secretary of State has provided a full list of acceptable forms of ID, including those listed below in the graphic from the SOS website.

If you don’t currently have one of these forms of ID, you can request a free state ID from the Department of Motor vehicles. Learn more about that process here.

Q: What if I’ve changed my name since I last voted?

A: Poll workers will be looking to see if your ID matches the name on your voter record. Make sure your voter registration is up to date with your new name before the election in order to make the process casting your vote as smooth as possible.

If you’re planning on changing your name before the general election, make a plan ahead of time and consult the deadlines above. Some transgender voters may find it easier to vote by mail (absentee ballot). Your voter registration information must be updated at least 18 days ahead of election day.

According to Trans Nebraska, ACLU of Nebraska’s transgender resource hub, you are still allowed to vote even if you were unable to update your registration in time. If you changed your name and still live in the same county, you will be allowed to vote at the polling place designated for your residence. You may be required to complete a certification and a registration form. Upon completion, you will be given either a regular ballot or a provisional ballot. We encourage transgender voters to visit ACLU Trans Nebraska’s Know Your Rights While Voting page for further clarification.

For more information on name changes in Nebraska, check out this resource from Legal Aid of Nebraska. The National Center for Transgender Equality has a Voting While Trans resource complete with a checklist for election day.

Q: What if my current gender presentation doesn’t match the photo on my ID?

A: As long as the name on the identification you provide matches the name on your voter record, you are legally entitled to vote. There is no law or regulation that requires your gender presentation to match any information on your identification.

Q: What if I am turned away from voting?

A: You are legally entitled to a provisional ballot. Request one and ask for follow-up instructions, as you will have to follow up to prove your identity with election officials for your ballot to be counted. If you have concerns about your ballot being counted, contact our local election protection hotline through Civic Nebraska at (402) 890-5291, or the National Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OURVOTE (1-866-687-8683).

This year, many issues concerning the well-being of Nebraskans are up for a vote in the form of ballot measures. Here’s what you need to know about these referendums:

Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans Would require employers to allow staff to earn paid time off for sick leave.
LGBTQ+ people face a variety of health challenges and are more likely to hold employment that doesn’t grant them any paid sick leave. No one should have to choose between their health or their paycheck.

Protect Our Rights Would update the state constitution to ensure the fundamental right to abortion for all Nebraskans.
Bodily autonomy, including the right to seek an abortion, is a human right. Laws that criminalize abortion make it harder for individuals, especially people who already face health barriers, to exercise control over their own lives.

Support Our Schools Nebraska A vote to REPEAL LB 1402 would keep public funds from going to private schools by way of a voucher scheme. Private schools are unaccountable to public oversight and voucher schemes open up many students to discrimination funded on the public dime.

The tip sheet lays out simple definitions and guidance for facilitating the vote of transgender, gender-nonconforming and nonbinary voters, covering topics such as what to do if a voter’s photo ID seems different than their current gender presentation and how to move forward after making a mistake, such as using the wrong pronouns in reference to a voter.

View the full resource here.