Scheduling an Election
Political subdivisions may schedule an election to be held in conjunction with a statewide primary or general election, or they may hold a special election at another time. Political subdivisions must give notice to the Election Commission in order to hold an election. Elections can be held to nominate or elect candidates to office or to present issues to the voters of a political subdivision.
Prior to the statewide primary election, the Election Commission sends a certification packet to each political subdivision in Douglas County. In order for the Election Commission to place the subdivision's races on the primary or general election ballot, the subdivision must return the packet certifying the offices and candidates up for election in the upcoming year, along with a description of the political subdivision's boundaries. There are separate deadlines to place an issue on the statewide primary or general election ballot.
Contents of Certification
- Name of the Subdivision
- Number of Officers to be Elected
- Length of the Terms of Office
- Number of Vacancies to be Filled by Election and Length of Remaining Term
- Number of Votes to be Cast for Each Office
Office Certification Deadlines
- In order for a race to be included on a statewide primary election ballot, the political subdivision must complete and return the certification to the Election Commission no later than January 5th of each even numbered year.
- In order for a race to be included on a statewide general election ballot, the political subdivision must complete and return the certification to the Election Commission no later than July 1st of each even numbered year.
- In Douglas County, Educational Service Units and the Village of Waterloo are the only subdivisions to certify for the general election only.
Issue Certification Deadlines
- A political subdivision may submit an issue to be placed on the primary election ballot by certifying a resolution to the Election Commission no later than March 1st of each even numbered year.
- A political subdivision may submit an issue to be placed on the general election ballot by certifying a resolution to the Election Commission no later than September 1st of each even numbered year.
- Special elections may be held on the first Tuesday following the second Monday of the selected month. No special election can be held in April, May, June, October, November, or December of an even numbered year.
- There are different laws governing each type of special election. If a political subdivision is interested in holding a special election, they should contact the Election Commission for more information.