Complaints of Early Voting Application Offers From Third Parties Being Taken by Secretary of State’s Office

LINCOLN–(KFOR Sept. 20)–If you have checked your mail anytime this week, chances are you may have received something about early voting applications from third party organizations and campaigns.

That wasn’t sent out by the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office or county election offices across the state.  Those early voting postcards were sent out in July and August. The Secretary of State’s office, though, has taken several complaints about the third party early voting applications.

“They are confusing voters and they are using old (contact) lists,” Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen told KFOR News.  Mail is being sent from outside parties to people who died 10 years ago or have moved 15 years ago.

Evnen said those third-party voting organizations rely on outdated postal service addresses and information when contacting voters.

“These people are not using voter lists, they are using other lists,” Evnen said.

The Nebraska Legislature passed a bill in 2022 to require these organizations in bold print to disclose who they are and disclose to people to not send these forms in to vote early.  It’s unclear if these groups are complying with state laws.

“It’s a real problem because it’s confusing for voters,” Evnen said.

Voters can utilize the early voting applications to request an early voting ballot, as long as they properly complete the form, which includes fulfilling the voter ID requirement on the application and signing the application. A voter who properly completes the early voting application process will only be sent one ballot. Voters will not receive multiple ballots if they return multiple early voting applications.

Voters can check the status of their request on ne.gov/go/votercheck.

Early voting ballots will be mailed out beginning on September 30.