LINCOLN- Proponents of an effort to end secret ballot voting for Nebraska Legislative leadership positions say they now have enough votes to pass a rule change in the upcoming session. Secret ballots have been used to select Legislative leadership since the creation of Nebraska's unicameral Legislature, and backers of the system claim that the secret voting process prevents these selections from being decided upon partisan lines.

The issue has been debated upon for years now, and supporters of the secret ballot process have been able to protect it from any rule changes. However, that may change when the Legislature reconvenes next month. Rod Edwards, a spokesman for the Nebraska First PAC, claims that 25 lawmakers have already pledged to support a rule change that would make votes public, just enough support to pass such a measure.

State Sen. Tom Briese, one of the lawmakers who signed the pledge to make public the vote, said leadership elections are among the most important votes lawmakers cast in some sessions. "It shouldn't be hidden behind a veil of secrecy, in my opinion," said Briese.

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