Only 1 of every 3 registered Lincoln voters will be asked if they want an early ballot for this spring's city elections, Lancaster County Election Commissioner Dave Shively said Thursday.Â
All registered voters in the county received applications for early ballots during the 2020 elections because of the pandemic, an effort launched to reduce in-person voting and potential infections.Â
"We have kind of got to get back in the old routine," Shively said.
Lancaster Election Commissioner Dave Shively
Courtesy photo
The move mirrors what Douglas County plans for its spring city elections, which feature the Omaha mayor's race, and comes after Lancaster County (87,316) and the state (436,269) recorded their highest-ever early voting numbers in the 2020 general election.
This cycle, Lincoln voters will determine three at-large City Council members, four Lincoln Board of Education members and two seats on the Lincoln Airport Authority. No bond issues or city charter amendments have been proposed for inclusion on the ballot.Â
Last spring, Shively asked the Lancaster County Board for and received authority to spend more to mail early ballot requests to all voters.Â
City officials could make a similar request, but Shively said "I don’t know that I’m going to change my mind."Â
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The work to prepare early ballots last year took up an enormous amount of his staff's time, Shively said, and city elections, with traditionally low turnouts when there's not a mayor's race, have often coincided with lower rates of returned early ballots.Â
Lower turnout and fewer items on the ballot reduces Shively's concern about crowded polling places this spring, he said.
Voters can still cast their early ballot in person, and Shively's office will still limit the number of people who can be inside at any given time.Â
"I just don't think we're going to have a two-hour wait" like last fall though, he said.Â
More than 60,000 city voters have previously requested to receive early ballot applications automatically every election cycle.
That list nearly doubled ahead of the 2020 general election, and voters on that list will receive early ballot applications beginning Feb. 19, Shively said.Â
Lincoln voters not on that list can request an early ballot by filling out a form on the , , or by visiting the , .
The city primary election is April 6, and the general election is May 4.
PHOTOS: ELECTION DAY 2020
Photos: Nebraska on Election Day 2020
People line up to vote at Omaha South High Magnet School on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
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A woman who did not give her name carries a sign urging respect at 13th and Bancroft Streets in South Omaha on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
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People mark voting ballots at the Omaha Community Playhouse in Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
An election official wipes down a ballot sleeve at Dundee Elementary School in Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Bancroft Elementary School in South Omaha on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
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Pablo Perez, of Omaha, votes at Bancroft Elementary School in South Omaha on Tuesday.
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Jalen and Sydney Gibbons, of Omaha, vote with their 1-year-old twins, Isla and Greyson, by their side at Bancroft Elementary School in South Omaha on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
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Blue Line Coffee posts a sign along Underwood Avenue that reads "If you voted your drink is free - Compliments of Eastman for Congress" in Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
A person votes at the Omaha Community Playhouse in Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Sidewalk chalk messages at 13th and Bancroft Streets in South Omaha on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Lori Ham, an election official, disinfests a ballot sleeve at Omaha South High Magnet School on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
People line up and vote at Omaha South High Magnet School on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Derrick Combs, of Omaha, voters at Omaha South High Magnet School on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A voter arrives to Omaha South High Magnet School on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
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Voters occupy all the booths inside Bethel Lutheran Church, 1312 S. 45th St., on Tuesday. There were close to 30 people in line when the doors opened.
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A polling place, Wellspring Lutheran Church in Papillion on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
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Derek Rau and his service dog Voodoo walk to a polling booth in Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Volunteer Katie Jennings sets up the voting booths inside Bethel Lutheran Church located at 1312 South 45th Street on Tuesday, November 03, 2020.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jennifer Dirks, of Papillion, fills out her ballot at a polling place in Papillion on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
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A person talks on the phone while voting inside the Walnut Hill Elementary School gymnasium in Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Molly Loesche, left, and Sheryl Mason initial ballots before voting starts inside Bethel Lutheran Church located at 1312 South 45th Street on Tuesday, November 03, 2020.
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Alayna Gonzalez, 8 months, sits with her dad, Hector Gonzalez, of Omaha, while waiting for her mom, Ana Gayton (not pictured), to finish voting so he can take his turn at the Disabled American Veterans hall in South Omaha on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
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People vote at the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation in Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Stickers are available fore voters at a polling place in Papillion on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Volunteer Katie Jennings puts on an "Election Official" badge on before the start of voting inside Bethel Lutheran Church located at 1312 South 45th Street on Tuesday, November 03, 2020.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
People vote in the Walnut Hill Elementary School gymnasium in Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Voters fill out their ballots at a polling place in Papillion on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Some of the close to 30 people who lined waiting to vote at Bethel Lutheran Church located at 1312 S. 45th St. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Brandon Wood, an election official, places a ballot in a secure box at a polling place, Wellspring Lutheran Church in Papillion on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Volunteers Zane Jones, left, and Jay Mason put a "polling place" sign outside of Bethel Lutheran Church located at 1312 South 45th Street on Tuesday, November 03, 2020.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Poll workers keep track of voters in Papillion on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A person stands behind a polling place sign while talking on the phone at Walnut Hill Elementary School in Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
People vote in the showroom of Lexus of Omaha at 13025 W Dodge Rd on Tuesday, November 03, 2020.
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A voter hands off his ballot to a poll worker in the showroom of Lexus of Omaha at 13025 W Dodge Rd on Tuesday, November 03, 2020.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Volunteer Thomas Jackson puts tape marks down for so people can stand six feet apart while waiting in line to vote at Bethel Lutheran Church located at 1312 South 45th Street on Tuesday, November 03, 2020. The polling place wouldn't open for another 20 minutes but people were already showing up. Close to thirty had lined up by the time the doors opened.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Volunteer Jay Mason puts a "polling place" sign outside of Bethel Lutheran Church located at 1312 South 45th Street on Tuesday, November 03, 2020.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
A voting booth waiting for voters inside Bethel Lutheran Church located at 1312 South 45th Street on Tuesday, November 03, 2020.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Volunteer Jay Mason throws way political signs that were too close to the polling place at Bethel Lutheran Church located at 1312 South 45th Street on Tuesday, November 03, 2020.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
People vote at the Disabled American Veterans hall in South Omaha on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Sal Johnson, an election official, goes over a list of names at the Disabled American Veterans hall in South Omaha on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Matt Carroll, of Omaha, votes as children's art is displayed behind him at the Kids Can Community Center in South Omaha on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Rep. Don Bacon greeted drivers at 72nd Street and Highway 370 in Papillion.
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Democrat Kara Eastman's husband Scott, left, crosses the street while holding a yard sign on the corner of 24th and L Streets in South Omaha on Tuesday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
A shadow of a supporter of Rep. Don Bacon as she waves sign at the intersection of 72nd Street and Hwy 370 in Papillion on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Kara Eastman and other Democrats gathered at 24th and L Streets in South Omaha Tuesday morning.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Hannah Sobczyk, 16, of Papillion, waves a sign in support of Rep. Don Bacon as a tractor goes by the intersection of 72nd Street and Hwy 370 in Papillion on Election Day.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
NE-02 Democratic U.S. House candidate Kara Eastman, right, stands with supporters on the corner of 24th and L Streets in South Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
District 2 candidate Kara Eastman waves to passing cars on the corner of 24th and L Streets in South Omaha on Tuesday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska State Senator Tony Vargas shields his eyes from the sun while crossing the corner of 24th and L Streets in South Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Aidan Hansen, 15, of Papillion, waves a sign in support of Rep. Don Bacon at the intersection of 72nd Street and Hwy 370 in Papillion on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
NE-02 Democratic U.S. House candidate Kara Eastman, center, has a coffee with staffers at Archetype Coffee in Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Democratic U.S. House candidate Kara Eastman, right, leaves Archetype Coffee to continue on the campaign trail in Omaha on Tuesday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Hannah Sobczyk, 16, of Papillion, waves a sign in support of Rep. Don Bacon at the intersection of 72nd Street and Hwy 370 in Papillion on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
State Sen. Tony Vargas holds his own campaign sign on the corner of 24th and L Streets in South Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Supporters of Rep. Don Bacon wave signs at the intersection of 72nd Street and Highway 370 in Papillion.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Democratic Kara Eastman, center, waves to passing cars on the corner of 24th and L Streets in South Omaha on Tuesday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Rep. Don Bacon, right, and supporters wave signs at the intersection of 72nd Street and Highway 370 in Papillion on Tuesday.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Rep. Don Bacon votes at his polling place, Wellspring Lutheran Church in Papillion on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Reach the writer at 402-473-2657 or rjohnson@journalstar.com .
On Twitter @LJSRileyJohnson.
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