Lancaster County voters will have additional evening, weekend and early morning opportunities to cast ballots before the Nov. 3 general election.
Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen said the office routinely extends its hours before elections to accommodate voters who cannot make it during the workday. This year’s demand prompted an additional evening option, he told KLIN News. “Normally, we’re open just one night a week. But this year, because of the increased turnout, we are offering a second evening.”
The extended hours are:
- Tuesday, Oct. 27: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 29: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 31: 9 a.m. to noon.
- Monday, Nov. 2: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Normal office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Election Commission office is on North 46th Street, in the same parking lot as the Lancaster County Treasurer’s Office.
The deadline to request an early voting ballot by mail has passed, but voters still have options through Monday, Nov. 2. “Yeah, so voters may still come into the office and pick up an early vote ballot and take it with them. Or they could also vote in person at the office during those times as well,” Wiltgen told KLIN News.
Wiltgen said voters should allow time for both a possible wait and completing their ballot. As of Monday, waits to receive a ballot were no more than about 30 minutes, though lines could grow as Election Day approaches. “It is a longer ballot, so be prepared. It can take up anywhere between five and ten minutes to actually vote the ballot.”
The busiest periods are typically first thing in the morning, over lunch and after work. Wiltgen recommended late morning or early afternoon for voters hoping to encounter shorter lines.
Anyone already in line when the office closes will still be allowed to vote or pick up a ballot, Wiltgen said. Voters should remain in line rather than leave because closing time has arrived.
Accommodations are also available for people who have difficulty standing in line, Wiltgen told KLIN News. “We have seating available to those voters, and we have a way to mark their position in the line. So if you’re elderly or have issues waiting in line, please let an election official know when you get here.”
Voters must present an acceptable photo ID or complete a reasonable impediment certification before receiving a ballot. Accepted identification includes a Nebraska driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport or another qualifying photo ID. The ID must include the voter’s name and photo, but it may be expired and does not need to show an address.
Voters unable to visit the office may have an agent pick up their ballot. Wiltgen said an agent must provide the voter’s Nebraska driver’s license or state ID number, or a copy of the voter’s photo ID, and complete the required application. An agent may assist up to two voters per election and is responsible for delivering each ballot to the voter.
Agents may pick up ballots until 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Wiltgen said voters who were mailed an early ballot but decide to vote at their polling place instead can cast a provisional ballot. Election officials will review it to ensure another ballot has not already been returned before determining whether it can be counted.
Wiltgen also urged voters to allow extra time for parking. The Election Commission shares a lot with the Lancaster County Treasurer’s Office, where end-of-month vehicle registration traffic is adding to demand for parking spaces.
More information about identification requirements is available at voterID.nebraska.gov. Questions about early voting can be directed to the Lancaster County Election Office at 402-441-7311.