LINCOLN- A Nebraska state law with the intent of keeping poll workers from inappropriately steering nonpartisan voters has actually kept some voters from understanding their ballot options during elections.

In Nebraska, the Republican Party allows only party members to vote in its primary elections for state offices. The Democratic Party and third parties, by contrast, do allow nonpartisans to vote in their primary elections for state-level offices. But nonpartisans must request the party ballot they want.

If nonpartisans don’t request a specific ballot when they sign in to vote, they are handed a ballot that includes no competitive, partisan primary races.

It is up to the individual to select which ballot they will receive, this is mentioned in a notice with all the options. The notice explains that nonpartisan voters can request a ballot for the Democratic, Libertarian, or Legal Marijuana Now Parties, which include candidates for state and federal office. The nonpartisan Republican ballot includes only candidates for federal office.

State law bars poll workers from suggesting which ballot nonpartisans should request, for fear they might influence election outcomes.

For the full article click HERE