Nebraska Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should check out the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Mail-in Deadlines

• Voter Registration: Postmarked by the third Friday before the election, or delivered by 6pm on the second Friday before the election.
• Absentee Ballot Application: Received by 4pm on the Wednesday before the election
• Voted Absentee Ballot: Received 8pm Central Time (7pm Mountain Time) Election Day

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Nebraska you must:

• be a citizen of the United States
• be a resident of Nebraska
• be at least 18 years of age on or before the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November
• not have been convicted of a felony, or if convicted, have had your civil rights restored
• not have been officially found to be mentally incompetent

How to register to vote:

• Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget. Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.
• You can also download and complete the Nebraska Voter Registration Form.  Mail your completed form to your County Clerk or Election Commissioner.

ID requirements for first-time voters:

If you are registering for the first time in your county, you must include a copy of your ID with your voter registration form. If you forget, you'll need to provide ID the first time you vote in person or by absentee ballot.  Acceptable forms of ID include a copy of a current and valid photo identification that shows your name OR a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and Nebraska address.

Voter registration verification:

You should receive written confirmation that your voter registration was processed in 2-3 weeks.  Don't panic if you never receive your voter registration card: you don't actually need it to vote.  If you not sure if your registration was processed - or if you simply can't remember if you're register to vote - you can use the voter registration verification tools here.

Voting by Absentee Ballot

Good news!  Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in Nebraska.   (Nebraska calls absentee voting "early voting.)

How to apply for an absentee ballot:

Download and complete the Nebraska's Early-Voting Ballot Application.  Mail or fax your completed form to your County Clerk or Election Commissioner. 

ID requirements for absentee voters:

You do not need to provide ID if you've already voted in your county at least once.  If you are a first-time voter in your county, and you you did not include a copy of your ID with your voter registration form, then you must include a copy with your absentee ballot application.  You may include a copy of a current and valid photo identification that shows your name OR a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and Nebraska address.

Absentee ballot instructions:

Your county will process your application and mail you a ballot and a return envelope.  Complete your ballot, sign where indicated, and mail it to your County Clerk or Election Commissioner.   Your ballot must arrive by the close of polls on election day. 

Additional Information