Vote Your Rights, Nebraska

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5th. Are you ready to vote for your rights?  

This fall, our votes have the power to bring about the change we want to see in our own communities. For example, Nebraska voters will have a direct say on whether our state should protect legal access to abortion care and whether workers should earn paid sick leave. We’ll also elect representatives to lead on the issues and policies we care about. 

Ahead of Election Day, the ACLU of Nebraska is standing up to attempts to silence voices and empowering Nebraskans with the information they need to ensure their vote is counted at the ballot box. Our votes are powerful, especially when we vote to protect our rights and freedoms.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Ballot Measures

In many ways, your vote has never been more important. This November, Nebraskans will have a direct say on issues that impact our rights, freedoms and daily lives.

A Nebraskan holds a sign at a rally reading "Abortion is healthcare".

Abortion Rights

Vote FOR Initiative 439 (the last initiative on your ballot) to end the current abortion ban and protect the right to legal abortion care in Nebraska, putting patients and their doctors back in charge of decisions about pregnancy and abortion. Learn more or sign up to volunteer at ProtectOurRights.com. It's equally important to vote AGAINST Initiative 434 (the first initiative on your ballot), which aims to make Nebraska's current abortion ban permanent and leaves room for even harsher abortion restrictions moving forward.

Medical Marijuana

Care should never be criminalized. We support the medical marijuana initiatives because they represent a step forward on Smart Justice drug reform. Vote FOR Initiative 437 and Initiative 438. Learn more or sign up to volunteer at NebraskaMarijuana.org

Paid Sick Leave

Vote FOR Initiative 436 to support workers by establishing earned paid sick leave for Nebraskans so that no one is forced to choose between their paycheck and their health or the health of their family. Learn more or sign up to volunteer at PaidSickLeaveForNebraskans.org.

Private School Vouchers Referendum

Nebraskans will have a chance to decide the future of a bill that diverts public dollars to private schools through scholarships. Vote to REPEAL LB 1402. Learn more about the ACLU's position on school voucher schemes or sign up to volunteer at SupportOurSchoolsNebraska.org.

Elected Offices

The elected officials on our ballots, including state lawmakers, U.S. senators, congressional representatives, and State Board of Education members, among others, make decisions that shape our and our loved ones’ lives.

The Nebraska State Capitol as photographed from the west.

This November, we have the power to send a message to elected officials about what we value and what we want them to prioritize. As a nonpartisan organization, the ACLU of Nebraska does not endorse or oppose candidates. Cast an informed vote by getting to know the candidates and their positions through resources such as the League of Women Voters' Vote 411 guide.

Judge Retention Votes

Depending on the courts where they sit, judges’ decisions can impact everything from students' rights to due process.

A sign says vote here.

Nebraskans don’t elect judges, but we do get a say on whether they should keep their seats. More than 30 judges are up for retention votes this year. The ACLU of Nebraska does not take positions in retention votes but does encourage supporters to cast an informed vote. Start your research by checking out our new resource, linked below.

GETTING ELECTION READY 

Voting is a way for us to use our power. You can protect your power and your freedom to vote by registering to vote, making a voting plan and knowing your rights.  

Register to Vote or Check Your Registration

To be eligible in Nebraska to vote right now: 

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen. 
  • You must live in Nebraska. This includes self-supporting students who regard the location of their school as their home and military service members living on a military post who do not intend to return to their former places of residence. 
  • You must be 18 years old on or before November 5, 2024. 
  • If you have been convicted of a felony under Nebraska’s laws, another state’s laws, or federal government laws, please review our Know Your Rights resource.  
  • If you have been convicted of treason under Nebraska law or federal law, you cannot vote unless your right to vote has been restored via the pardon process. 
  • You cannot be subject to a current court order of mental incompetency. An adult under a guardianship order can still vote unless there is a court order stating otherwise. 

Think you’re already registered? Check the status of your registration online. You can register to vote or update your registration online by October 18 at sos.nebraska.gov.  Registration forms can also be mailed in and must be postmarked by October 18. Forms are available online. Finally, in-person registration is available at county election offices until October 25. View county election officials’ contact information.

Make a Plan to Vote

Making sure your voice counts starts before you cast your ballot. Make a plan to vote. For example, are you voting by mail or in person?

I'm Voting by Mail

A.I'm Voting by Mail

A.

Any registered Nebraska voter meeting the eligibility requirements above may apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail. First, download and fill out an application. Make sure you return your completed application so that it is received by your local election office no later than Oct. 25th. Once you receive your ballot, return it by mail, country drop box, or county election office. You can check the status of your ballot online.

I'm Voting Early In Person

A.I'm Voting Early In Person

A.

Early voting at your local election office runs from Oct. 7th to Nov. 4th. Find your office location. Remember to bring a valid ID to the polls as Nebraska is now a voter ID state. Nebraska drivers’ licenses, state IDs, tribal IDs, U.S. passports and IDs issued by any post-secondary institution in Nebraska are examples of acceptable forms of ID. If you can't afford an ID, you can get a free state ID for voting from the DMV.

I'm Voting on Election Day

A.I'm Voting on Election Day

A.

Polls are open on Election Day, Nov. 5th, from 8 AM – 8 PM CST (7 AM – 7 PM MT). Your polling place may be different than where you have voted in the past. Double check your location online. Remember to bring a valid ID to the polls as Nebraska is now a voter ID state. Nebraska drivers’ licenses, state IDs, tribal IDs, U.S. passports and IDs issued by any post-secondary institution in Nebraska are examples of acceptable forms of ID. If you can't afford an ID, you can get a free state ID for voting from the DMV.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS  

On Election Day 

  • If the polls close while you’re still in line, stay in line – you have the right to vote. 
  • If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one. 
  • Under federal law, all polling places for federal elections must be fully accessible to voters with disabilities. Election officials, including poll workers, must make reasonable accommodations as needed to help you vote. Additionally, you have the right to receive in-person help from the person of your choice so long as that helper is not your employer, an agent of your employer, or an agent or officer of your union. Learn more about voting rights for voters with disabilities.   
  • Do you have difficulty speaking English? Three Nebraska counties – Colfax, Dakota and Dawson – must legally provide Spanish election materials. Other counties may choose to provide translated materials, but don’t have to. Under federal law, voters who have difficulty reading or writing in English may receive in-person assistance at the polls so long as that helper is not your employer, an agent of your employer, or an agent or officer of your union.  
  • If the poll worker says your name is not on the list of registered voters, you are entitled to vote using a provisional ballot. After Election Day, election officials must investigate whether you are qualified to vote and registered. If you are, they will count your ballot. Learn more about provisional ballots and your rights.

Voter ID

For the first general election in the state’s history, Nebraskans will be required to show valid photo identification at the polls before voting. 

  • Photo ID should only be used to verify name and photograph.  
  • Nebraska drivers’ licenses, state IDs, tribal IDs, U.S. passports and IDs issued by any post-secondary institution in Nebraska are examples of acceptable forms of ID.  
  • Your ID can be expired or reflect an old address and still be used for the purpose of voting. 
  • If there is a dispute that might prevent you from casting your ballot, ask for a provisional ballot. 

If you can't afford an ID, you can get a free state ID for voting from the DMV. You may also complete a Reasonable Impediment Certification if you have a disability or illness that prevents you from obtaining valid photographic identification, an inability to obtain a birth certificate or other required documents without significant difficulty or expense, or a religious objection to being photographed.

A graphic shows a hand holding ID along with a stylized arrow and walking ballot box.

LGBTQ+ Nebraskans

If you’re transgender, nonbinary, or gender-nonconforming, you may have had problems in the past with someone questioning your identity because of your name, gender marker, or photo on your ID or you may simply be nervous about whether this might happen. No one should question you about your identity while voting.  

  • A poll worker cannot prevent you from voting just because you don’t look like your picture or what the poll workers thinks you “should” look like based on your name or gender marker.
  • If you have legally changed your name, you must update your name at the DMV to update your voter registration. You can update your registration at the DMV at the same time as updating your name. If you are unable to do so prior to Oct. 18th, the deadline for registration at the DMV, you can still vote. Your experience at your polling place will depend on if you have already visited the DMV to update your name and registration in the time between Oct. 18th and Election Day. If you have already visited the DMV and your old license has been voided, present the paper temporary ID you were provided. A poll worker will provide you with a provisional ballot. If you have not yet visited the DMV, you can present your old drivers license.

  • If there is a dispute that might prevent you from casting your ballot, ask for a provisional ballot.  

Felony Disenfranchisement

If you’ve completed all terms of your felony sentence, you are likely impacted by the Nebraska Secretary of State’s recent effort to deny Nebraskans with past felony convictions access to the ballot. We’re suing. Read about the case below, and learn more about your rights. (Note that felonies impact your right to vote, but misdemeanors do not impact your right to vote. Just because you’ve spent time in jail recently or are currently in jail doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve lost your right to vote. What matters is if you have felony convictions on your record.)

A car reads "We're all in this together. Protect every vote."

DEFENDING DEMOCRACY

Every Nebraskan should have equal access to the ballot box.  But we know that some of us have had to fight for our right to vote and overcome barriers, including voters of color, LGBTQ+ voters, students and voters with disabilities. It shouldn’t be that way. Here’s how we’re working to ensure no Nebraskan is denied their freedom to vote.  

Seeking Ballot Access for Nebraskans with Felony Convictions 

Thousands of Nebraskans’ voting rights depend on the outcome of a lawsuit brought by the ACLU, ACLU of Nebraska and law firm Faegre Drinker on behalf of Civic Nebraska and two Nebraskans impacted by a recent directive from the state’s top elections official. In July, Nebraska’s secretary of state ordered county election officials to refuse to register Nebraskans with past felony convictions in defiance of a law that requires the restoration of voting rights once a Nebraskan has completed the terms of their felony sentence. The Nebraska Supreme Court heard arguments in late August. While we all wait for a decision, make sure you know your rights

Powering the Polls

Democracy depends on volunteers to make sure that our elections run smoothly and that everyone’s vote is counted. We are proud to partner with Power the Polls, a national effort to keep polling places open and help elections run smoothly. Together, we’ve helped recruit ACLU of Nebraska supporters to serve as poll workers and ensure that we have a safe, fair and accessible election. Volunteer to be a poll worker this year.

Poll Worker Education 

This year, we are once again partnering with our friends at OutNebraka to make sure that poll workers have information to help guide them in creating a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ voters and ensuring each eligible voter can cast their ballot. Our 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.


Vote Your Rights

Ready to get to work? Share this resource with your friends and family and make sure they have a plan to get to the polls. Then check out the ACLU's 2024 Conversation Guide for advice on how to talk about the issues at stake with other potential voters in your circle. This November, let’s show up and show out to shape the state we live in.