Legislation passed in 2023 required Nebraskans to carry an ID with them in order to vote. An ID can be expired as long as it’s from a political subdivision from Nebraska. A private school’s identification card, for instance, would not work.

Applications to vote early by mail will be accepted until 6 p.m. Oct. 23, or the close of business on the second Friday preceding the election. Early voting in person at a county clerk or election commissioner’s office can take place from Oct. 5 to Nov. 2.

The application can be mailed or faxed to you from the county election office or found online. The form can be mailed or faxed to the office. You can also email your county election office a picture or scan of an application that’s physically signed. To complete the application, you will need to provide a photocopy or write your driver’s license or state identification number on your early voting ballot application. 

A reasonable impediment certification form can be submitted if you have a disability or illness that prevents you from having a valid photograph, a religious objection to having your photo taken or unable to obtain documents to receive a voter ID.

You can return to the polls with your ID if you forgot it. Or you can cast a provisional ballot, which will only count if an acceptable voter ID is presented to the county election office on or before the Tuesday following the election. The office can’t receive ID numbers provided over the phone. 

Any driver licensing office can issue IDs. You can find a list of those locations here. 

To receive a state identification card you need:

• A document with your Social Security number
• Proof of U.S. citizenship with your name, date of birth and identity
• Two documents proving your main address in Nebraska

A birth certificate cannot be presented in place of an ID, though it can help you obtain an ID. 

You can request your birth certificate for free as long as you indicate the purpose of obtaining the certificate is so you can receive an ID to vote. The documents you need to bring with you can be found here. Examples include a state-issued tribal card, learner’s permit, passport card, inmate card, military ID or a concealed carry permit permanent resident card. If none of those documents are readily available, the state will also accept a pair of documents, such as a paycheck stub received in the last 30 days and a current car insurance or registration. 

More information about obtaining a free birth certificate can be found here.

No, not for the general election. A primary election will have members of a party vote for a fellow member to advance in the election. The general election gives the choice between a Republican and a Democrat for partisan elections or two candidates for nonpartisan positions.