All Roll Calls
Yes: 389 • No: 112
NebraskaLB521109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessionslegislature
Change and eliminate provisions relating to the Election Act and elections in cities of the metropolitan class and in cities of the primary class
Sponsored By: Rita Sanders
Signed by Governor
Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
21 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 15 mixed.
Stricter and faster petition checks
It is a Class I misdemeanor to sign a petition if you are not a registered voter who qualifies, or to sign another person’s name. If someone signs a petition more than once, only the first verified signature counts. Officials can stop verifying once valid signatures exceed 110% of what is required. The Secretary of State can keep petitions, deliver pages securely, and must notify filers of decisions by the fastest method. Petitions are open to public inspection and may be destroyed 22 months after the related election.
Tighter access to ballots and data
After the canvass, the public cannot inspect ballots, provisional envelopes, or the names of people who completed certain ID‑verification envelopes unless a contest or court case needs them. Citizenship data the state collects for elections may be used only to keep the voter list up to date, not for law enforcement. Officials update which records they must check when verifying provisional ballots.
New rules for private renewable projects
Consumer‑owned electric utilities cannot take property that is part of a private renewable energy plant. They can still use eminent domain for land to build needed transmission lines, and the law treats that as a public use unless proven otherwise. The board must consider regional transmission‑organization plans and regional benefits when an RTO has ordered a line to be built. If a developer already owns the site for a plant over 10 megawatts, the public meeting requirement is waived. The law does not allow private suppliers to sell power at retail in Nebraska.
Rules for private renewable projects
Private renewable plants can be exempt from some state reviews if they follow new rules. Owners must notify at least 30 days before building, consult on wildlife, and set a decommissioning plan with financial security by the sixth year. Projects over 10 megawatts must hold a public meeting in a host county. A joint transmission agreement is required, and the private supplier may build needed lines at its cost. The board can sue if required decommissioning security is not posted, unless local rules already cover it.
Election training, poll worker and site rules
The Secretary of State trains agencies, provides required forms, and tracks reports to enforce voter‑registration duties. No political materials or alcohol are allowed within 50 feet of a voter‑registration site. Candidates cannot serve as judges, clerks, or inspectors at an election; vacancies are filled before Election Day. State agency staff who help register voters are not county employees. Registration forms must show who accepted the form. The law also clarifies which sections make up the state’s Election Act.
How metro city councils are elected
Metropolitan‑class cities elect a mayor and seven council members to four‑year terms. One council member is elected from each district. Council candidates must be registered voters, live in the district and city for six months, and file a candidacy form. Only the top two primary vote‑getters in each district appear on the general ballot. Primary ballots are nonpartisan and rotate candidate names. In primary‑class cities, general city elections are in May of odd years unless the charter ties them to the statewide general. Vacancies are filled as local law says.
More voter ID and ballot help
Valid photo ID now also includes records from hospices and developmental disability service providers that show your name and photo. The Secretary of State runs a website with a current list of acceptable IDs and a public awareness campaign. State agencies share how to get a free voter ID. You can check if your provisional ballot counted and see the reason if it did not.
Stronger public meeting notice rules
Beginning January 1, 2025, public bodies must give advance notice in a newspaper finalized before the meeting and post online where available. Some small cities and listed fire districts may post in three public places instead. If a newspaper cannot publish on time, the body must post online and in a public place and record the steps taken. Public bodies may not use emails or virtual tools to get around the Open Meetings Act.
Virtual public meetings with access rules
Starting January 1, 2025, many state and local bodies may meet by phone or online if they post access info, keep one public site with a member present, record the meeting, share documents, and allow public comment. No more than half of their meetings in a year may be virtual unless an exception in law applies. Public bodies may let people or witnesses testify by phone or online. When the Governor declares an emergency that includes the area, bodies may meet virtually, must share links to the agenda, documents, and the Open Meetings Act, allow public speaking, and state the emergency in the minutes. If an emergency meeting is held without advance notice, action is limited to the emergency, and full minutes must be public by the end of the next business day. The secretary of each public body keeps a list of news outlets that ask for notices and makes reasonable efforts to notify them of time, place, and topics. Bodies not on the main list may hold virtual meetings only to discuss items for a later in‑person open meeting and may take no action.
Stricter rules for petitions and signatures
Petition pages must meet size and layout rules and may have no more than 20 signatures per page. Each signer must date, print full first and last names, give date of birth and address, and sign for themselves. Circulators must witness signatures, sign an affidavit, and show if they are paid or a volunteer in 16‑point red type. Paying for signatures, false swearing, signing more than once, or signing for someone else is illegal. Most signers must be registered when they sign; for some petition types, being registered by filing day is enough. A petition must be filed as one instrument; no extra pages can be added later. Officials verify names, dates of birth, and addresses against voter records, strike duplicates, and presume validity when registered on or before the signing date. A signer may remove their name by a signed letter filed by the deadline for that petition type.
Clearer write‑in and counting rules
Write‑in votes for active write‑in campaigns count when you write the last name (or close spelling) and mark the oval. If another candidate has the same or similar last name for that office, you must also write the first or common name. A filed write‑in candidate may withdraw by the second Friday before the election, and those votes will not be counted. Watchers and observers cannot be kept out of counting rooms unless an unobstructed closed‑circuit TV view is provided. The state canvassing board meets on the fourth Monday after statewide elections at a place the Secretary of State picks.
DMV voter registration and deadlines
You can register to vote at the DMV when you get or renew a license or state ID. To vote in an upcoming election, finish the DMV registration by the close of business on the third Friday before the election. The DMV must send your info electronically within 10 days, or within 5 days near the deadline. The state matches DMV and Social Security data to check records. Counties must update your record and mail your new polling place if you move within the county. You can also ask to be removed and get a confirmation.
Metro‑city election timing changes
A metropolitan‑class city may put city races on the statewide primary and general ballots in presidential years. The mayor’s term matches council members elected at the same time. Petition thresholds in these cities now use the number of votes cast for city elective offices at the last city election to calculate 15% and 25% signature requirements. Eligible school districts can hold special elections with the city’s primary or general. For city bridge purchases, owners have 90 days to accept a tentative offer, and the city may submit the question to voters within 120 days; if voters approve, bonds may be issued.
New rules for petitions and filings
The Secretary of State can buy or contract software to help process petitions, but not to verify signatures. If two or more candidates share the same first and last name for an office, the filing officer notifies them within five days after the nonincumbent filing deadline and sets how their names will appear; an incumbent may choose a variation or add the city. For special elections, any objection to a candidate filing must be submitted in writing within three business days after the deadline; the filing officer decides unless a court issues an order by the fourth Friday before the election. To form a new political party, petitions must state the party name and purpose and include a statement to the Secretary of State, plus each signer’s printed name, date of birth, and address or voting precinct; each signer must be or become a registered voter before filing. Organizers must file a sample petition with the Secretary of State before circulation and then file completed petitions with that office.
New rules for primaries and delegates
The statewide primary no longer elects party convention delegates. Parties may let unaffiliated voters vote in their primary if they file a rule 60 days before the primary; the rule applies only to that primary and cannot be changed. Delegate candidates now file with their party, must state if they are committed or uncommitted, and sign the pledge. Parties must publish county‑convention notices at least seven days ahead. Delegate races are no longer auto‑certified when candidates equal seats. Petitions to get on the presidential primary ballot must use the set form and be filed at least 60 days before the primary. Candidate forms now include an optional email, and candidates cannot seek more than one office in the same election. The law excludes presidential and delegate contenders from the definition of “candidate.” For new parties, the state can stop checking signatures after 110% are verified; organizers then have 20 days to file bylaws and officers or they are not certified.
Old sections repealed and removed
The law repeals many listed Nebraska statutes. Any programs, duties, or powers created only by those sections are removed from state law.
Special election dates and ballots
Special elections are held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday of the chosen month. Many special elections in even‑numbered years are limited unless tied to the statewide primary or general election. Sample ballot publication now can be between 30 and 2 days before an election, with some elections still at least 30 days. Primary ballots will no longer print a candidate’s address to distinguish same‑surname candidates.
Standard forms and petition deadlines
Nomination petitions must use standard forms with printed name, date of birth, and address fields. Partisan nomination petitions are due by August 1; nonpartisan office petitions are due by September 1. Nonpartisan presidential tickets can get on the ballot with at least 2,500 valid signatures filed by August 1. A presidential or vice‑presidential candidate may withdraw by filing an affidavit at least 60 days before the general election.
Stricter mail-ballot checks and observer limits
Election officials must compare the signature on every identification envelope to the voter’s registration signature. Watchers and observers at counting sites must stay at least eight feet from ballots, ballot boxes, sign‑in registers, and counting devices. If the room cannot allow eight feet, officials must post the minimum distance before counting begins. Watchers may observe but may not interfere with workers, and distance rules cannot be used to exclude a watcher except as allowed by law.
Voter say on big bridge bonds
Bridge purchase, condemnation, construction, and bond issues in metropolitan‑class cities go to voters at a special election or any general election. After a final condemnation award, the council must pass an ordinance and submit the question within 90 days after the ordinance takes effect. Some revenue‑bond or acquisition actions can skip an election if the council votes to do so.
When these changes take effect
The act declares an emergency and takes effect when passed and approved according to law. Sections 72, 73, and 84 become operative on January 1, 2026. A group of listed sections take effect three calendar months after the legislative session adjourns. All other sections take effect on the dates stated in the law.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Rita Sanders
Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 5/28/2025
Final Reading
Yes: 49 • No: 0
legislature vote • 5/8/2025
Vote
Yes: 18 • No: 26 • Other: 5
legislature vote • 5/8/2025
Vote
Yes: 16 • No: 30 • Other: 3
legislature vote • 5/8/2025
Vote
Yes: 31 • No: 0 • Other: 18
legislature vote • 5/8/2025
Vote
Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 6
legislature vote • 5/1/2025
Vote
Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 7
legislature vote • 5/1/2025
Vote
Yes: 41 • No: 0 • Other: 8
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 41 • No: 0 • Other: 8
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 6
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 16 • No: 30 • Other: 3
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 18 • No: 26 • Other: 5
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 31 • No: 0 • Other: 18
Actions Timeline
Provisions/portions of LB659 amended into LB521 by AM1152
6/6/2025legislatureProvisions/portions of LB243 amended into LB521 by AM1152
6/6/2025legislatureProvisions/portions of LB19 amended into LB521 by AM1152
6/6/2025legislatureApproved by Governor on May 30, 2025
5/30/2025legislaturePresented to Governor on May 28, 2025
5/28/2025legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
5/28/2025legislaturePassed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 49-0-0
5/28/2025legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
5/28/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ST32 recorded
5/21/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ST32 filed
5/21/2025legislaturePlaced on Final Reading with ST32
5/21/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
5/8/2025legislatureDungan MO233 failed
5/8/2025legislatureDungan MO233 Reconsider the vote taken on FA191 filed
5/8/2025legislatureDungan FA191 lost
5/8/2025legislatureDungan FA191 to AM1152 filed
5/8/2025legislatureBosn FA190 adopted
5/8/2025legislatureBosn FA190 filed
5/8/2025legislatureSanders AM1333 adopted
5/8/2025legislatureSanders AM1333 filed
5/8/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ER75 adopted
5/8/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ER75 filed
5/7/2025legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER75
5/7/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
5/1/2025legislatureGovernment, Military and Veterans Affairs AM1152 adopted
5/1/2025legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
1/21/2025
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted
Related Bills
LB468, Change provisions relating to inheritance taxes, change certain fee and tax provisions, and eliminate a sales tax exemption relating to data centers
LB13, Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment relating to child care
LB677, Change provisions of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act and provide for regulation of medical cannabis
LB646, Provide an exemption from brand inspections and change fees under the Livestock Brand Act
LB170, Eliminate the sales tax exemptions for candy and soft drinks
LB714, Change provisions relating to motor vehicle taxes and fees