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".

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.

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.

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?

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. We also have a separate explanation of voting rights for Nebraskans under guardianship orders.   
  • 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 worker 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 Voting Rights

If you’ve completed all terms of your felony sentence, you are able to register to vote and vote in Nebraska consistent with LB 20, passed by the Nebraska Legislature in 2024, and a Nebraska Supreme Court opinion on October 16, 2024. For those impacted, you can learn more about your rights. The bottom line is that all Nebraskans who have completed all the terms of a felony sentence can now register to vote and vote in Nebraska as long as they meet the other eligibility requirements.

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.  

Winning Ballot Access for Nebraskans with Felony Convictions 

Thousands of Nebraskans’ voting rights depended 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 and issued an opinion in October 2024 affirmatively holding that Nebraskans with prior felony convictions who otherwise meet voting eligibility requirements can register to vote and vote as soon as they complete all the terms of their felony sentence, consistent with LB 20 passed by the Nebraska Legislature this year.

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.