Bill > LB541

This bill comprehensively reforms Nebraska's election laws with significant changes to voter registration, ballot handling, and voting processes. The bill eliminates online voter registration and restricts voter registration by mail, requiring voters to present valid photographic identification when registering or voting. It introduces new requirements for early voting, including specifying permissible reasons for obtaining an early voting ballot, such as being over 80, physically unable to go to the polling place, or being absent from the county. The bill mandates that official ballots have a covert watermark and requires election officials to maintain secure ballot drop-boxes under strict video surveillance. A key provision is the requirement for hand counting ballots, which involves manually counting paper ballots without electronic devices (except calculators) and includes verifying ballot watermarks and voter signatures. The bill also changes procedures for ballot counting, requiring election commissioners to hand count at least 25% of ballots to verify electronic vote tabulation. Additionally, the legislation imposes stricter regulations on ballot agents, limits who can return ballots on behalf of a voter, and enhances overall election security measures through increased documentation, identification requirements, and monitoring procedures.

Military Affairs and Security

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58737