Nebraska expands party choices, launches new voter system
Nebraska voters can now register to vote, update their information and check important election details through one online system.
The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office introduced the new system Sept. 15 as part of National Voter Registration Day. It combines the state’s online voter registration application with its VoterCheck website, placing several election-related tools in one location.
Voters can use the system to register, change their name or address, change their political party affiliation, confirm their registration information, find polling information and check the status of an early voting or provisional ballot.
Secretary of State Robert Evnen encouraged eligible Nebraskans who are not registered to complete the process and asked current voters to make sure their information is accurate.
“We’re proud to unveil this new online voter registration system to make it simpler than ever to fulfill our civic duty,” Evnen said.
For Clay County voters, one of the most important details to verify may be the mailing address listed on their registration.
Clay County conducts elections by mail. Active registered voters with confirmed mailing addresses receive their ballots through the mail before Election Day. An outdated address could prevent a ballot from reaching the correct location.
Voters should update their registration after changing their name, moving to a new address or changing their political party affiliation. Moving from one Nebraska county to another also requires a new registration. A person does not need to register again simply because the person missed a previous election.
The deadline to register online for the Nov. 3 general election is Friday, Oct. 16. Mail-in registration forms must also be postmarked by that date. Residents may register in person at their county election office until 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
Seventeen-year-olds who will turn 18 on or before Nov. 3 may register now if they otherwise meet Nebraska’s eligibility requirements.
A valid Nebraska driver’s license or state identification card is required to submit a registration electronically. Those who do not have either may still complete the form through the online system, print and sign it, then return the paper application by mail or in person.
As of Sept. 1, Clay County had 4,129 registered voters. Republicans accounted for 2,995, or nearly 73 percent of the total.
The county also had 517 registered Democrats and 559 nonpartisan voters, making nonpartisan the second-largest registration category.
The remainder of the county’s voters were spread among Nebraska’s smaller political parties: 41 Libertarians, 16 Legal Marijuana NOW voters and one America First voter. No Clay County voters were registered with the Nebraska Working People Party as of Sept. 1.
Nebraska now recognizes six political parties: Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, Legal Marijuana NOW, Nebraska Working People and America First.
While Republican and Democratic are familiar choices, some voters may be less certain about what the other names represent.
The Libertarian Party emphasizes individual liberty, personal responsibility, limited government and free markets. Its platform generally calls for less government involvement in economic decisions and people’s private lives.
The Legal Marijuana NOW Party was organized primarily around ending marijuana prohibition and legalizing cannabis. Nebraska officially recognized the party in 2021.
The Nebraska Working People Party and America First Party are newcomers to Nebraska’s voter registration rolls. Both gained official recognition this year after organizers collected the required petition signatures and the Nebraska Supreme Court cleared the way for their formation.
According to its filing with the state, the Nebraska Working People Party seeks to represent working families, middle-class Nebraskans, rural communities, small businesses, farmers and ranchers. Its stated goals include improving economic opportunity, strengthening communities and promoting accountable government.
The America First Party identifies itself as conservative. Its stated priorities include reducing government spending and foreign aid, stricter immigration enforcement, opposition to abortion and protecting Second Amendment rights.
Neither of the two new parties will have a candidate on Nebraska’s 2026 general-election ballot, but voters may now register with either party.
Nonpartisan, despite appearing alongside the parties in registration reports, is not a political party. It means a voter has chosen not to affiliate with any recognized party.
That choice matters most during primary elections, when political parties select their nominees. Nonpartisan voters receive a nonpartisan ballot for state and local offices and may request the federal portion of one recognized party’s ballot for U.S. Senate and House races. If a political party chooses to open its full primary, a nonpartisan voter may request that party’s full ballot.
During a general election, voters are not bound by their registration. A Republican may vote for a Democrat, a Democrat may vote for a Libertarian and a nonpartisan voter may choose candidates from several parties.
Registration records show affiliation. They do not—and cannot—show how a person votes on a secret ballot.
Clay County’s recent turnout numbers show how much participation can change from one election to another.
During the Nov. 5, 2024 general election, which included the presidential race, 3,379 of the county’s 4,179 registered voters cast ballots. Turnout reached 80.86 percent.
The May 12, 2026 primary drew 2,186 of 4,104 registered voters, resulting in turnout of 53.27 percent. That was 1,193 fewer voters than participated in the 2024 presidential election.
The upcoming Nov. 3 general election will not include a presidential race, but voters will decide contests for governor, U.S. Senate, Congress, the Nebraska Legislature and local offices. Statewide ballot measures will also be decided.
Clay County voters may return their completed ballots by mail, deliver them to the Clay County Election Office or place them in the ballot drop box in the south parking lot of the Clay County Courthouse. Voters may also vote early in person at the Election Office before Election Day.
Because Nebraska requires voter identification, Clay County voters returning a mailed ballot must write their Nebraska driver’s license or state identification number on the return envelope, include a copy of another acceptable photo identification or complete a reasonable impediment certification if eligible. Instructions are included with each ballot.
Clay County residents with questions about registering, updating their information, mailed ballots or voter identification requirements may contact the Clay County Election Office at 402-762-3463 or [email protected].
The office is located at 111 W. Fairfield St. in Clay Center and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
