November of 2022, a ballot measure to require a valid form of photographic identification in order to vote in Nebraska received 65% approval from voters. Upon this approval, the state legislature was obligated to pass laws to specify these new photo identification requirements.
In the final day of the 2023 legislative session, June 1st, the specifications were approved by lawmakers in the form of LB514.
The acceptable forms of photographic identification include documents issued by the state of Nebraska, an agency or a political subdivision of the state, the U.S. military, a Nebraska postsecondary educational institution or a recognized Native American tribe or band.
The passage of this bill was met with a unique quarrel between GOP affiliated candidates. Dunbar Sen. Julie Slama filibustered debate on the bill introduced by Gordon Sen. Tom Brewer. Drawing disagreement with an amendment put forth by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, which Brewer is chairperson of, expanding the scope of acceptable forms of identification. Slama dubbed it the “Evnen Amendment,” purporting Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen was heavily involved in that process of drafting the amendment.
This filibuster pushed into the final hours of the legislative session. With some of Slama’s collogues, notably Steve Erdman, calling her filibuster effort into the final hours of legislature “disrespectful.”
Ultimately the bill adopted the amendment put forth by the committee on a 44-1 vote.
Civic Nebraska, a non-profit organization aimed at creating more modern and robust democratic processes for all Nebraskans said in regards to this bill, “This is a matter of degree, and LB514’s provisions are the “least bad” option of the voter ID measures considered this year. If LB514, like any voter ID bill, becomes law it will make voting more complicated for every voter.” Thanking lawmakers for adopting the expansive amendment, that they said, “would inflict as little harm as possible.”
The bill is now headed to the Governors desk for a final signature. The final vote was 41-1.