Politics & Elections

Early voting for Nebraska's May 15th primary election begins Monday.

Redistricting means there are fewer polling places in Douglas and Sarpy counties. Douglas County Election Commissioner Dave Phipps says voters can come to the election commission office and cast an early ballot, pick up a ballot, or request one by mail. 

Sarpy County Election Commissioner Wayne Bena says about 30 percent of registered voters voted early in the 2008 general election. He expects it’ll be higher this election cycle.

Sarpy County voters will have fewer polling places in May.

Election Commissioner Wayne Bena says redistricting resulted in Sarpy County losing 20 polling places. Originally 71, the county now has 51 polling places and 52 precincts.

Bena says cards have been sent to voters with their new polling place information. He says the county also has a new polling place finder map on its website. “What this will allow people to do is to type in their address, and it’ll show you a map of where your house is to where your polling site is, and will give you driving directions as well.”

Two groups are calling for an investigation in to the Douglas County Election Commissioner’s office over the closing of polling places.

Nebraska’s primary election is May 15th. Nebraskans for Civic Reform and Nebraska Appleseed want Secretary of State John Gale’s office to investigate the closure of some polling places in Douglas County.

Legislation that would cut the size of the Omaha Public Schools board to seven members is off the table in the Nebraska Legislature.

Senator Scott Lautenbaugh, the bill’s sponsor, pulled the measure Tuesday  night after other lawmakers threatened to filibuster it. Lautenbaugh’s legislation originally called for reducing the board to five members. It was amended to seven. The bill has been sent back to the Unicameral's Government, Military, and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule by the end of June on President Obama’s health care overhaul law.

Justices heard three days of arguments from the U.S. Solicitor General and from Attorneys General who sued to have the health care law thrown out. 26 states, including Nebraska, are part of the lawsuit.