Nebraska shatters primary voting turnout in midst of pandemic
Mail in ballots account for 80% of vote
Mail in ballots account for 80% of vote
Mail in ballots account for 80% of vote
Unlike a number of other states, Nebraska held its primary election on Tuesday as scheduled, with few issues and record turnout.
"I'm especially proud that Nebraskan's responded in this way in the midst of a health pandemic," said Secretary of State Robert Evnen.
Evnen, said nearly 400,000 Nebraskans voted early by mail or dropped their ballots off at county clerk or election commission offices.
He said that helped them hold the election without changing any laws.
"That was the single greatest contribution to why we had a very successful election," said Civic Nebraska's Director of Voting Rights John Cartier.
He said the state needs to learn from this.
"At every single election from here on out, the state should be mailing to every voter a vote by mail application at the very least," Cartier said.
Ryan Hamilton, the executive director of the Nebraska Republican Party applauded the success of election. But he's not sold on mail in ballots. He said there's more potential for fraud and the state should get back to holding normal elections as so as it can.
"The vast majority of people prefer to vote in person and on election day in Nebraska," Hamilton said.
As for mailing absentee applications to every voter in future elections, Evnen does not think that's necessary.
"Voters are now fully apprised of their opportunity. We've certainly publicized it. And I don't think it's going to be necessary in the future," Evnen said.
Evnen said the hopes the pandemic will be "tamped down" by the November election.
"But whatever the conditions are we will be able to meet them," Evnen said.
He said during the primary all of the polling sites were open on time with enough staff. Each of the 4,000 poll workers were provided N95 masks, face shields, gloves, hand sanitizers and wipes. Voters were also given masks if they didn't have one and got to keep the pen they cast their ballot. Areas were sanitized between voters.
"We have the knowledge and experience now and we have the resources equipment to handle elections in a circumstance like the this," Evnen said.