Nebraska law allows election administrators to conduct special elections by all-mail. Special school bond and levy override elections are the most common types of all-mail special elections. As the election type suggests, these elections are conducted using mail ballots only; therefore, polling places are not used in all-mail elections. Ballots are mailed to all voters who reside in the political district and are registered at their current address. Voters can then either return their ballot via a secure drop box or via the mail.
Learn more about all-mail special elections by reading the information below.
Ballots:
- Ballots are mailed 22 days prior to the election to all voters who reside in the political subdivision and are registered at their current address.
- No application is required. If a voter would like their ballot mailed to a different mailing address than what is listed on their voter registration record, they may contact the Election office.
- Ballots are mailed in kraft-colored envelopes (pictured below) measuring approximately 6 inches by 9 inches.
- Undeliverable ballots are returned to our office by the post office since they cannot be forwarded.
Notices:
- Some voters will be mailed a notice postcard (pictured below) instead of a ballot.
- Voters are mailed a postcard if mail has been returned to our office indicating that the voter no longer lives at the registration address on record.
- If a voter receives a postcard and currently lives within the political district, they need to follow the directions on the card and contact the Election office to review their options.
A return envelope (pictured below) is included with the ballot. The return envelopes are kraft-colored and measure 6 inches by 9 inches.
Voters must meet the identification requirement and sign the back of the return envelope in order for the ballot to be counted.
All-mail elections are subject to voter ID laws. Since no ballot application is required, the voter must provide their ID information with their returned ballot.
If the ID requirement is not met on the return identification envelope, the ballot will be rejected.
If a voter's ballot is rejected due to failing to meet the ID requirement, the voter will have until close of business 7 days after the election to cure their ballot by providing ID in-person at the Election office. Deadlines for any current all-mail elections will be listed on the Election Deadlines page.
The ballot return deadline for all-mail elections is 5:00 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots must be in the possession of the Election office or a secure drop box by the deadline.
Available drop boxes within Douglas County for any current all-mail election will be listed on the Early Voting page.
Deadlines for any current all-mail elections will be listed on the Election Deadlines page.