Nebraska's 2024 primary election will be on Tuesday, May 14, when voters will decide their party nominees to advance to the November general election.Ìý
51¶ÌÊÓƵ's editorial board is not endorsing candidates in the May primary, but it will conduct video interviews and endorse candidates prior to the November general election in many races.
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Here is your comprehensive guide to the candidates and key issues that will appear on your ballot.Ìý
Voter guide: Local candidates on the issues
51¶ÌÊÓƵ surveyed candidates in contested state and local races including the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, Lower Platte South NRD and Legislature so you can be informed before sending in your ballot or hitting the polls.Ìý
Click the links below to view their responses.Ìý
Lincoln voters will also make their picks for two U.S. Senate seats and one House of Representatives seat where incumbentsÌý—ÌýSens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts and Rep. Mike FloodÌý— are heavily favored to win their primaries against little-known challengers.Ìý
Southeast Nebraska votersÌý— aside from Lancaster County residents who willÌýconsider aÌý$89.9 million Waverly school bond issueÌý—Ìýwon't see any initiatives on their May primary ballot.Ìý
Important dates to know
* May 3Ìý-ÌýDeadline for in-person voter registration. Last day to receive an application for early voting ballots to be mailed to a specific address.
*ÌýMay 13Ìý- Last day for early voting in person at Election Commissioner's Office.Ìý
*ÌýMay 14Ìý- Statewide primary election day. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early voting ballots must be returned by the time the polls close.
What to know on election day
This is the first election in which Nebraska voters will be required to present a photo ID before casting a ballot.
Voters must show their ID if they vote early in their county election office or if they cast their ballot at their local precinct on Election Day.
There are new polling locations in Lancaster County for 27 precincts in advance of the statewide primary and general elections. A fire at New Covenant Community Church in early May forced twoÌýsoutheast Lincoln precincts to relocateÌýto Faith Bible Church.
A precinct-specific sample ballot can be found at .ÌýA Lancaster County sample ballot containing all races within all parties can be foundÌý. Some races on this ballot will not appear on the ballot you receive depending on your political registration and where you live.
Nonpartisan voters will receive a ballot including all nonpartisan races like the Board of Regents or Legislature race(s) in their area. But, nonpartisan voters can request a nonpartisan-partisan ballot at the polls or on their early vote application if they want to vote in partisan races. If a nonpartisan voter chooses to complete a nonpartisan ballot only, they may not have any races on their ballot. .Ìý
Must-reads if you plan to vote in-person on May 14:
More primary election coverage
Looking ahead to November general electionÌý
In the Nov. 5 general election, Nebraskans will see a handful of initiatives vying to make it on the ballot from abortion rights, medical marijuana, paid sick leave to taxes.Ìý
To help Southeast Nebraska voters and Journal Star readers make informed decisions in the upcoming primary, the Lincoln Journal Star asked candidates in contested state and local races to complete candidate biographies and answer questions about issues in their races.
Candidates were limited to 80 words per answer. The answers were edited for length, spelling and minor grammatical errors.
Questions were not sent to candidates in nonpartisan races where both will advance to the Nov. 5 general election.
EDITOR
Dave Bundy
SECTION EDITOR
Shelly Kulhanek
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Matt Olberding, Alex Lantz, Zach Hammack, Rachel Adamson
ENGAGEMENT STRATEGYÌý
Rachel Adamson