Early voting is off to a busy start in Lancaster County, with more people voting in person during the first week than at the same point in the past two statewide general elections. Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen told KLIN News it is too early to predict overall turnout, but the office has seen a steady line of voters. “Right now, we’re seeing a higher volume of early voters compared to the same time frame that we saw four years ago for this last statewide election, but also two years ago, the presidential,” Wiltgen said.
In-person early voting began Oct. 5 and continues through Nov. 2 at the Lancaster County Election Commission office, 601 N. 46th St. On Election Day, Nov. 3, people voting in person must go to their assigned polling places.
Wiltgen reminded Lincoln voters that their ballots contain two pages, including six local ballot questions and four statewide questions. The longer ballot means voters should allow additional time to make their selections and check that they have completed both pages.
The office has received calls from people who believe their mailed ballots contain only one page. Wiltgen said the sheets can stick together, making the second page easy to miss. “When we advise them that they need to, you know, take them apart, they find that they have two pages, not just one,” he said.
Voters who make a mistake should contact the Election Commission for a replacement ballot rather than crossing out a selection and marking another oval in the same race. Wiltgen said that can create an overvote, preventing a vote from being counted in that contest. “You just need to get a new ballot in order for that question or candidate race to be counted,” he said.
The deadline to register or update voter registration online is Friday, Oct. 16. Mailed registration applications must be postmarked by that date. People who miss that deadline can register or update their information in person at the Election Commission office until 6 p.m. Oct. 23. Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. is also the deadline for the office to receive requests for early voting ballots to be mailed. People registering in person can also vote during their visit.
People voting in person should bring an acceptable photo ID, such as a Nebraska driver’s license, Nebraska state ID or U.S. passport. Wiltgen said Nebraska licenses and state IDs can be expired, but driver’s licenses and state IDs issued by other states are not accepted.
For early voting information, visit https://www.lancaster.ne.gov/331/EarlyAbsentee-Ballot. A complete list of acceptable identification is available at https://sos.nebraska.gov/voter-id.