This bill proposes comprehensive changes to Nebraska's election laws aimed at enhancing the security and integrity of the electoral process. Key provisions include the elimination of online voter registration and the introduction of strict requirements for mail-in voter registration, mandating that deputy registrars only register voters who present valid photographic identification. The bill also establishes new regulations for secure ballot drop boxes, including requirements for video surveillance and clear markings, and introduces a covert watermark on official ballots to verify their legitimacy. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for hand counting ballots without electronic devices and expands the responsibilities of the Secretary of State to ensure compliance with the new voter registration procedures.

Further amendments focus on the early voting process, requiring that application forms include reasons for requesting a ballot and mandating valid photographic identification when applying for early voting. The bill allows registered voters to appoint family members as agents to submit requests or return ballots, while also introducing a new voter’s oath to be signed when returning a ballot. It streamlines the procedures for counting and recounting ballots, requiring election officials to hand count a percentage of ballots to verify accuracy and clarifying the conditions under which recounts can be requested. Overall, these changes aim to improve the efficiency and transparency of the voting process while ensuring compliance with identification requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 32-101, 32-103, 32-202, 32-203, 32-206, 32-306, 32-307, 32-308, 32-310, 32-311.01, 32-312, 32-312.05, 32-315, 32-320, 32-321, 32-323, 32-325, 32-806, 32-808, 32-902, 32-938, 32-941, 32-942, 32-943, 32-947, 32-950.01, 32-960, 32-1002, 32-1041, 32-1049, 32-1118, 32-1119