LB218 would make several minor adjustments to how Nebraskans register to vote that could have major impacts. Currently, Nebraskans can opt-in to registering to vote when obtaining ID at the DMV.

This bill flips that process on its head and allows Nebraskans to opt-out of registering to vote instead. The end result is more registered voters across the state.

For more on modernizing voter registration see Common Cause’s report here.

Nebraska is one of only seven states that place no restrictions on how much anyone can contribute to our elections. LB672 would change that by placing a $1000 cap on contributions to a candidate from individuals, PACs, unions, and businesses.

The fact that we lack any limits on contributions has allowed wealthy individuals and interests to have an oversized impact on our politics. Ultimately putting their agendas ahead of average Nebraskans.

LB237 would allow all counties in Nebraska to seek approval from the Secretary of State to conduct their elections by mail. Currently, 11 counties in Nebraska vote entirely by mail and they often boast the highest turnout rates in the state.

Unfortunately, the law does not allow our largest counties to even consider this option. This bill would rectify the issue and allow every county to take part in all-mail elections.

LR19CA and LR27CA would both extend term limits for members of the legislature to three consecutive terms. While term limits can be used to ensure new ideas and perspectives are included through turnover in a legislative body, Nebraska’s current limit is too restrictive.

By only allowing legislators to serve two consecutive four year terms, we’ve ensured that lobbyists hold more power in the unicameral through their institutional knowledge.

We’ve also crippled our elected official’s ability to effectively govern and work cooperatively, as it can take years to develop a sense of the institution and the need for collective governing in our one-house, non-partisan unicameral.

Click here for more on this issue.

Both bills have been scheduled for a public hearing on February 27th before the legislature’s Executive Board.

LR7CA and LR25CA would increase the salary Nebraska legislators receive.

Today, the makeup of the Nebraska legislature is severly limited by a $12,000 annual salary. While there are many capable Nebraskans who could serve in the legislature, it simply isn’t possible to live on that little income, especially if you’re trying to support a family.

Low pay also leads legislators to believe that the gifts and meals they receive from lobbyists are a deserved subsidy for their work. Putting them further in reliance on the special interests operating at the state house, rather than the people of Nebraska.

Click here for more on this issue.

Both bills have been scheduled for a public hearing on February 24th before the legislature’s Executive Board.

LB3 and LR24CA would require Nebraska to distribute our electoral college votes to the winner of the statewide popular vote. The main difference between them is that LR4CA would enshrine the change in our constitution, rather than in state statute.

Common Cause Nebraska has long opposed this change since we know that the current method of allowing each congressional district to assign an electoral vote to the candidate of their choice is a more powerful option for Nebraska voters. Under the current model, presidential candidates have to fight for your vote and pay attention to voices of Nebraskans.

January 31st Update

The Government Military and Veteran’s Affairs committee held a public hearing on both of these bills on January 30th, and public opposition to taking away our split vote was tremendous. Six times as many people testified against making us a winner-take-all state as those who supported the change.

When it came to online comments, Nebraskans showed up in droves to oppose the change. The final count for online comments was LB3: 414 proponents, 1371 opponents, and 3 neutral, LR24CA: 172 proponents, 728 opponents, and 5 neutral.

Now we’re waiting to see when the committee will meet in Executive Session to discuss and vote on these bills. No matter when that happens, Nebraskans have made it clear that they do not support this change!

How You Can Help

Sign our petition in support of keeping Nebraska’s electoral advantage.

Under these bills, Nebraska would add our name to the list of states calling for a federal convention of states to amend the US constitution. We have been outspoken in opposing these calls because we see tremendous risk in opening the US constitution to broad revisions at a convention.

LR14 aims to replace a previous call passed by the legislature to remove the original resolution’s 5-year sunset provision and expand the call to allow greater control of the federal government.

LR21 would join Nebraska to the list of states calling for a convention to add term limits to the US constitution. While we don’t oppose term limits on their face, we have seen in Nebraska that when they are too strict they create new problems. Additionally, there is no reason to believe that convention called for this purpose wouldn’t take on other matters and expand the scope constitutional revisions.

More on the dangers of an Article V Convention…

LB541 proposes major changes to the way we conduct elections in Nebraska that would be detrimental to all voters. The bill would:

• Eliminate online voter registration
• Restrict voter registration by mail
• Require grounds for early voting
• Require hand counts of ballots

Taken together, these changes would restrict Nebraskans from effectively registering to vote and casting their ballot. It would also place increased burdens on the county clerks who administer our elections across the state. The end result would be lower turnout and less accurate results overall.