FORMER LEGISLATIVE SPEAKERS, 11 OTHER SENATORS URGE LAWMAKERS TO RETAIN SECRET BALLOTS

LINCOLN- Former Speakers of the Legislature Galen Hadley and Greg Adams, alongside 11 former state Senators, are calling on the Legislature to maintain secret ballots for committee chair elections. "Political parties get in the way of truly representing the will of the people," said former Speaker Adams, "All senators, regardless of party, can represent their constituents equally."

Former Speaker Galen Hadley echoed a similar sentiment, stating that the nonpartisan nature of the secret ballots makes senators "more equal and independent." Former gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster, in an attempt to rid the Legislature of its secret voting system, created the Nebraska First PAC, which aims to end secret voting as soon as the Legislature convenes.

Rod Edwards, a representative of the Nebraska First PAC, claimed that at least 28 senators in Nebraska's 49-seat Unicameral Legislature have pledged to end secret ballots. "It's in the hands of the Legislature now," said Edwards, who argues that the State Constitution requires all legislative votes to be public. 

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