This bill amends the Election Act in Nebraska by establishing new requirements for petition circulators and introducing penalties for violations. Specifically, it stipulates that only individuals who are at least eighteen years old and have not been convicted of a felony (unless they have received a pardon) can qualify as valid petition circulators. Additionally, each circulator must file a notarized affidavit with the Secretary of State before circulating petitions, which includes personal information and details regarding any felony convictions or pardons.

The bill also enhances penalties for various offenses related to petition signing and circulation. It maintains that individuals who are not registered voters at the time of signing a petition or who sign under false pretenses will face misdemeanor charges. However, it introduces a new Class III felony for those who falsify the affidavit required from petition circulators. The act is set to become operative on January 1, 2027, and it repeals the original sections of the law that are being amended.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 32-629, 32-1546