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Here's what you need to know if you're voting in Nebraska in 2012:

VOTER REGISTRATION

You may register in person at the local county clerk/election commissioner's office during normal business hours. You can find your local county clerk at: www.sos.state.ne.us/elec/clerks.html or by calling the secretary of state's office at 888-727-0007.

In addition, you may register to vote through the state Department of Motor Vehicles when applying for or renewing your driver's license or at various other state agencies. You also may register through the state Department of Health and Human Services and State Department of Education at the time of application, review or change of address in connection with public programs.

Voter registration also may be done by mail. Voter registration applications are available at several locations throughout the state, including banks, post offices and libraries. Additionally, a voter registration application can be printed from the secretary of state's website for your use: www.sos.state.ne.us/elec/pdf/vr.pdf.

Registration Deadline

If you are delivering a voter registration form:

  • In Person: You must deliver your form to your local county elections office prior to 6 p.m. on the second Friday preceding the election in which you wish to vote.
  • By Personal Messenger or Personal Agent: Your form must be delivered to your local county elections office on or before the third Friday preceding the election in which you wish to vote.
  • By Mail: Your form must be mailed and postmarked on or before the third Friday preceding the election in which you wish to vote.

VOTER ID

The only voters asked for their ID are first-time Nebraska registrants who mailed in their registration applications and didn't provide ID at that time.

If registering for the first time in Nebraska by mail, to avoid delays with your registration, please provide a copy of one of the following:

  • Current and valid photo ID;
  • Utility bill;
  • Bank statement;
  • Government check;
  • Paycheck; or
  • Other government document dated within 60 days immediately prior to the date of presentation showing the same name and residence address provided on the voter registration application.

EARLY VOTING (Formerly Absentee Voting)

Any registered voter can apply for an early voting ballot in the state of Nebraska. If for any reason you cannot make it to the polls on Election Day or do not wish to travel to the polls, you may vote early.

You can apply for an early voting ballot by contacting your county clerk or election commissioner in person at the election office, by personal agent, by mail or by fax. You can find your local county clerk's contact information at: www.sos.state.ne.us/elec/clerks.html or by calling the secretary of state's office at 888-727-0007.

You also can print the online early voting application request form, found at www.sos.ne.gov/elec/pdf/earlyvote_app.pdf. Once you complete the form, you can mail or fax it to your local county clerk or election commissioner. If you cannot access the form, you may write to your local county clerk or election commissioner, including:

  • Your name and residence address;
  • Your political party affiliation;
  • Your voting precinct, if known;
  • Your phone number;
  • The mailing address you want the ballots sent to; and
  • Your signature.

All county election offices will accept early voting applications up to 120 days prior to a statewide primary or general election. The last day to request an early voting ballot to be mailed is the Wednesday prior to Election Day at 4 p.m.

Ballots are sent to non-military stateside applicants beginning 35 days before the election. At that time, voters also will be able to vote early at your local county clerk or election commission's office. Contact your county clerk or election commissioner for information on office hours. The Monday before Election Day is the last day to cast an early voting ballot at the county election office.

All early voting ballots, whether personally delivered, delivered by agent, delivered by mail or other carriers, must arrive by the closing of the polls on Election Day (8 p.m. Central Time/7 p.m. Mountain Time).

If you have any questions, contact the secretary of state's office at 888-727-0007 or visit www.sos.ne.gov/dyindex.html.