Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Information
Voter Registration
Early Voting
Poll Workers
Public Relations
Polling Place / Voting Equipment
Provisional Voting

General Information

What is the main purpose of the Douglas County Election Commission?
The Election Commission administers elections within Douglas County by managing voter registration, selecting and equipping polling places, drafting and hiring poll workers, handling all aspects of early voting, and collecting and distributing election information and results.
We are not a political office, nor are we connected with candidates or their political campaigns.

How do I contact the Election Commission?
Our contact information can be found here.

How can I find election results from past elections?
Election results are posted here.

Can I wear a campaign t-shirt to my polling place on election day?
No. Wearing any campaign item is considered electioneering, and you will be asked to remove or cover up the item if you wear it into a polling place on election day. No electioneering can take place within 200 feet of a polling place building on election day during the hours of voting.

Who are my elected officials?
You can click here to search your address to find your Ward and Precinct number, political subdivision information, and current elected officials.

Can Nonpartisan (Independent) voters vote during a primary?
Yes. Nonpartisan (Independent) voters can vote during a primary election. They will vote the Nonpartisan ballot which contains amendments and other special issues, State Legislature candidates, MUD candidates, OPPD candidates, NRD candidates, Metropolitan Community College Board of Governor candidates, University of Nebraska Board of Regents candidates, and School Board candidates. They may also request to vote the Federal ballot for the House and Senate from one political party. They cannot vote in the primary election for President, Governor, or other partisan State and County offices.

Am I eligible to vote in the City of Omaha Elections?
Click here to search your address to find the list of Candidates You May Vote For.
If Omaha Mayor is listed, then you are eligible to vote in the City of Omaha Elections.
If Omaha Mayor is not listed, or there is no Mayor category listed, then you are not eligible to vote in the City of Omaha Elections.

What are the rules and laws regarding campaign signs?
Some rules for candidates, including the placement and usage of campaign signs, can be found on our campaign guidelines page; however, the Douglas County Election Commission does not create or enforce campaign sign rules.

How do I remove my name from a petition?
In order to remove your name from a petition, you must fill out a Petition Name Removal Form and mail or fax it to the Election Commission prior to or on the day of the petition filing deadline.

How can I become a Deputy Registrar?
In order to become a Deputy Registrar, you need to be a registered voter in the State of Nebraska.
You also need to sign up for and attend one of our Deputy Registrar classes.
You may register to vote at the Deputy Registrar class, if you are not already registered to vote in Nebraska.

I would like to have a voter registration drive. What do I need to do?
In order to hold a voter registration drive, you need to be a Deputy Registrar. You will learn how to hold a proper registration drive during your registrar training. Please see our Deputy Registrar page for more information.

What is a by-mail election?
A by-mail election is an election conducted by mail. There are no polling places. Voters registered at their current address within a political subdivision receive their ballots by mail. Ballots are mailed to registered voters ten to 22 days before the election. The deadline to return voted ballots to the Election Commission or any of our 9 other drop boxes is 5:00 p.m. on election day.

If a voter wishes to have their ballot mailed to an address other than the address where they are registered to vote, the voter can fill out an Early Voting Ballot Request Form. The request can be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the Election Commission and must be received by 6:00 p.m. the second Friday before election day.

Voter Registration

Do I have to let the Election Commission know when I move or change my name?
Yes. Voters must re-register every time they change their name, address, and / or political party. Click here to learn more about registering to vote.

Can I change my name, address, or party affiliation over the phone?
No. Any change to a voter registration must be done on a new Nebraska Voter Registration Application form that has an original signature. Click here to learn more about registering to vote.

What are the voter registration requirements in Nebraska?
Click here to learn about voter registration qualifications.

Am I registered to vote in Douglas County?
If you need to verify whether or not you are registered to vote, or if you need to verify your political party affiliation, you may visit the Secretary of State's Voter Check website.

What is my political party?
If you need to verify whether or not you are registered to vote, or if you need to verify your political party affiliation, you may visit the Secretary of State's Voter Check website.

What and where is my polling place?
Your polling place is the location (based on your current address) where you vote on election day. You can locate your polling place by entering your address information on our website.

How can I register to vote in Douglas County?
Click here to learn where to register to vote and download a voter registration application. Please be aware of election deadlines that limit when you can register to vote. Also, please be aware that you may not register by phone, fax, or email.

When do you send out polling place cards (Voter Acknowledgement / Information Cards)?
A Voter Acknowledgement / Information Card is sent to you after you register for the first time or if your registration information changes.

I need to prove my registration status; how do I do that?
Voters can come to our office to purchase a Voter Certificate for $3.00. Click here to find out more information regarding Voter Certificates.

My child no longer lives in Nebraska but continues to receive voter cards. What do I need to do?
Your child should register at their address out of state, and you should cancel their registration here in Nebraska. Click here to find more information regarding cancelling a voter registration.

My spouse is deceased but continues to receive voter cards. What do I need to do?
You should cancel their voter registration. Click here to find more information regarding cancelling a voter registration.

I no longer want to be a registered voter. What do I need to do?
Click here to find more information regarding cancelling a voter registration.

My Voter Acknowledgement / Information Card came and there is a typo in my name or address. What should I do?
If it is before the voter registration deadline for the next election, please call our office at (402) 444-VOTE (8683) and someone will be able to assist you.
If it is after the voter registration deadline for the next election, your name will still be printed in the poll book at the polling place. Go to your polling place, tell the poll worker of the correction, and they will log it so that it can be corrected after election day.
You will still be allowed to vote even if there is a mistake on your card.

How can I become a Deputy Registrar?
In order to become a Deputy Registrar, you need to be a registered voter in the State of Nebraska.
You also need to sign up for and attend one of our Deputy Registrar classes.
You may register to vote at the Deputy Registrar class, if you are not already registered to vote in Nebraska.

I would like to have a voter registration drive. What do I need to do?
In order to hold a voter registration drive, you need to be a Deputy Registrar. You will learn how to hold a proper registration drive during your registrar training. Please see our Deputy Registrar page for more information.

When are the voter registration deadlines?
Click here for the voter registration deadlines for any upcoming elections.

Early Voting

Who can receive an early voting ballot?
All eligible voters may vote early (no reason required).

How do I get an early voting ballot?
You can get an early voting ballot by mail, in person, or by using an agent (an agent is someone who picks up your ballot on your behalf at the Election Commission office).

I have voted early in the past. Are you automatically sending my ballot to me?
No. Voters must request an early voting ballot for every election.

I requested an early voting ballot but did not receive it; what should I do?
If you requested an early voting ballot but did not receive it, please call our office at (402) 444-VOTE (8683).

I made a mistake on my early voting ballot; what should I do?
If you made a mistake on your early voting ballot, please call our office at (402) 444-VOTE (8683) to request a replacement ballot.

Should I use a pen or pencil to mark my ballot?
A blue or black pen is preferred for marking ballots; just don't use anything that will bleed through the paper like a marker, and do not use red ink.

When are the early voting deadlines?
Click here to see the early voting deadlines for any upcoming elections.

When does my early voting ballot have to be returned?
Your ballot must be received in our office or one of our drop boxes by 8:00 p.m. on election night.
All drop boxes are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Early voting ballots cannot be accepted at your polling place.

Poll Workers

How do I volunteer to work as a poll worker on election day?
Click here to sign up to volunteer to be an election worker. You may also call our office at (402) 444-VOTE (8683) and speak to our Election Board Coordinator.
Please note that all election board members, both draftees and volunteers, are paid for their time served on election day.

Can my boss make me take vacation or dock my pay when I serve during an election?
No. According to Nebraska Revised Statutes § 32-241(1): Any person who is appointed in any county to serve as a judge or clerk of election, a precinct or district inspector, a canvassing board member, or any other election worker shall not be subject to discharge from employment, loss of pay, loss of overtime pay, loss of sick leave, loss of vacation time, the threat of any such action, or any other form of penalty as a result of their absence from employment due to such service if they give reasonable notice to their employer of such appointment. Reasonable notice shall be waived for those persons appointed as judges or clerks of election on the day of election to fill vacancies. Any such person shall be excused upon request from any shift work, without loss of pay, for the hours they are required to serve and, if they are required to serve eight hours or more, for eight hours prior to and eight hours following the hours they are required to serve.
The penalties are included in Nebraska Revised Statutes § 32-1517, which states in part: (3) Any employer of a person appointed to be a precinct or district inspector or a judge or clerk of election who discharges such person from employment, docks such personï¿½s pay, overtime pay, sick leave, or vacation time, or in any other way penalizes such person because of their service as an inspector, a judge, or a clerk shall be guilty of a Class III felony.

I have been drafted as a poll worker for this election. How many elections do I have to work before being taken out of the draft?
According to Nebraska Revised Statutes § 32-221: The Election Commissioner shall appoint precinct and district inspectors, judges of election, and clerks of election to assist the Election Commissioner in conducting elections on election day. ... Judges and clerks of election shall be appointed at least thirty days prior to the first election for which appointments are necessary and shall serve for at least four elections.

Is election duty required by law?
Yes, election duty is required by Nebraska Revised Statutes § 32-221.

How was I chosen to serve on election day?
According to Nebraska Revised Statutes § 32-221, poll workers are randomly chosen from the list of registered voters.

I was a poll worker in the last election. Do I have to attend poll worker training again for this election?
Yes, according to Nebraska Revised Statutes § 32-228, poll workers are required to attend training for every election they are selected to work.

Will I be paid to attend poll worker training?
Yes, clerks and judges are paid $18.00 for training. Inspectors are paid $25.00, and district supervisors are paid $35.00 for training.

I have served as a poll worker for four elections. Will I be called for election duty again?
Once you have served your four elections as a draftee, you may continue to serve as a volunteer, or you may opt out of poll worker service altogether. If you would like more information about being a volunteer poll worker, call our office at (402) 444-VOTE (8683) and speak to our Election Board Coordinator.

I am a poll worker for the upcoming election. When will I find out where I will be assigned to work on election day?
Assignment letters are mailed approximately 10 to 15 days prior to each election.

Public Relations

How can I get a list of registered voters in Douglas County or within my district?
The Douglas County Election Commission provides a list of registered voters within the county for $150.00 for a one-year subscription. Monthly updates are included in the fee and are provided upon request.
Click here to learn more about ordering a voter file.

How can I order a map?
You can order a map by contacting the Election Commission. Maps are typically printed on Fridays and then are available the following week; however, we will call you when the map is ready.

As a candidate, what do I need to know about campaign finance?
For information related to campaign finances, please contact the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission (NADC) at (402) 471-2522.

How do I file as a write-in candidate?
Click here for information on how to file as a write-in candidate.

What offices are up for election?
The offices up for election can be found here.

Where can I find the results of the last election?
Election results are posted here.

When will the official election results be posted?
Results become official after the county canvass board meets to certify the election. Typically the canvass board meets two to three weeks after election day. The official summary results will be posted immediately following the canvass board meeting.

Where can I find out who has filed to run for office?
A list of candidates that have filed for office is available here.

How can I recall an elected official?
There are many steps to recalling an elected official, and not all elected officials can be recalled. Click here to learn how to recall an elected official.

What are the rules and laws regarding campaign signs?
Some rules for candidates, including the placement and usage of campaign signs, can be found on our Campaign Guidelines page; however, the Douglas County Election Commission does not create or enforce campaign sign rules.

Can someone from the Election Commission speak at my upcoming event?
Please contact our office to set up a date and time.

Polling Place / Voting Equipment

What and where is my polling place?
Your polling place is the location (based on your current address) where you vote on election day. You can locate your polling place by entering your address information on our website.

Why did my polling place change?
There are many factors which go into determining polling place locations. The Election Commission tries its best to find sites which will serve the majority of voters within a voting precinct. Sometimes a facility no longer wants to be a polling place or the facility no longer meets our requirements. If you do not wish to vote at your polling place on election day, you may request an early voting ballot be mailed to you or vote early at the Election Commission.

When do you send out polling place cards (Voter Acknowledgement / Information Cards)?
A Voter Acknowledgement / Information Card is sent to you after you register for the first time or if your registration information changes.

My Voter Acknowledgement / Information Card came and there is a typo in my name or address. What should I do?
If it is before the voter registration deadline for the next election, please call our office at (402) 444-VOTE (8683) and someone will be able to assist you.
If it is after the voter registration deadline for the next election, your name will still be printed in the poll book at the polling place. Go to your polling place, tell the poll worker of the correction, and they will log it so that it can be corrected after election day.
You will still be allowed to vote even if there is a mistake on your card.

Can I wear a campaign t-shirt to my polling place on election day?
No. Wearing any campaign item is considered electioneering, and you will be asked to remove or cover up the item if you wear it into a polling place on election day. No electioneering can take place within 200 feet of a polling place building on election day during the hours of voting.

I am disabled. How do I vote on election day?
The Help America Vote Act required that all polling places provide a way for disabled voters to mark their ballot without needing assistance. This gives the disabled voter the same privacy as everyone else. Douglas County uses the AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal to meet this requirement.
The AutoMARK allows disabled voters to use the same ballot as every other voter. The disabled voter places the blank ballot into the machine and then uses either a touch screen or Braille keypad to make their choices in each race. When finished voting, the AutoMARK fills in the ovals on the ballot. The ballot is then placed in the ballot box with all the other ballots.
If a disabled voter does not wish to use the AutoMARK, the voter may have a friend, family member, or poll worker assist him or her in marking their ballot.

Provisional Voting

What is provisional voting?
Provisional voting is when a voter marks a regular ballot and places that ballot into a special envelope so that their registration information can be verified before their ballot is counted.

When would a voter vote provisionally?
A voter would need to vote a provisional ballot when the voterï¿½s name is not on the voter registration list at the polling place, when the voter was sent an early voting ballot but did not receive or request it, or when a voter is unable to show ID if required.

My name has changed; do I need to vote provisionally?
Voters do not need to vote provisionally if they are changing their name. They will need to sign both names in the poll book at the polling place and complete a new Nebraska Voter Registration Application which will be processed after the election.

How can I see if my provisional vote was counted?
Beginning seven days after the election, you can check if your provisional ballot was counted by visiting the Nebraska Secretary of Stateï¿½s website or by calling (888) 727-0007. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, the five digit numeric PIN you provided on your provisional envelope, and the election you are inquiring about.