Politics & Government
Primary Election In Omaha City Will Be Held On May 12
The push continues to encourage voters to vote by mail and avoid crowded polling places. The deadline to request a ballot is May 1.
(April 14, 2020) - Election Day in Nebraska is one month away, and already nearly one-third of Douglas County's registered voters plan to vote by mail.
The primary election is May 12, 12 days after the current public health orders to close some businesses, restrict gatherings and require social distancing are set to expire in Douglas County.
Find out what's happening in Omahafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“The election is going to happen,” said Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse. “I want everybody to vote, but I want you to do it by mail. Vote by mail is the safest way to keep voters and poll workers safe.”
The push continues to encourage voters to vote by mail and avoid crowded polling places continues. The deadline to request a ballot is May 1st.
Find out what's happening in Omahafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
There are approximately 355,000 registered voters in Douglas County; more than 115,000 have already requested mail-in ballots. By comparison, in both the 2016 and 2018 primaries, approximately 70,000 voters cast ballots at either polling places or by mail. Kruse said historically, about 90% of the people who request a mail-in ballot, vote and return it.
Nebraska is a no-excuse early voting state, anyone can vote by mail for any reason.
“I would prefer if everyone would vote by mail,” said Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour.
Public health orders issued by Dr. Pour and Governor Ricketts limit gatherings of 10 people or more, and require social distancing of 6-8’. Polling places will be required to follow those orders.
The Election Commissioner also needs approximately 400 additional poll workers for the primary. It takes 1,400 people to staff polling places. This year, about 30% of the expected workers will not be working this year, many are senior citizens who may be most vulnerable to COVID-19 exposure. Poll workers will receive sanitation kits, including gloves, masks and hand sanitizer.
“I love going to the polling place, but I voted by mail today,” said Mayor Jean Stothert.
This press release was produced by the City of Omaha. The views expressed here are the author’s own.