Registering to vote
The law does not change Nebraska's existing voter registration process. If you are already registered to vote, you do not need to re-register. You eligibility to vote is confirmed when you register.
- You must be a U.S. citizen
- You must be at least 18 years of age
Accepted IDs
When voting, you must present an ID that includes your photo and name. If your ID has expired, it is still acceptable for voting purposes.
You can use an ID issued by:
- the federal government including a U.S. passport
- the State of Nebraska, such as a driver's license or state-issued ID
- any postsecondary institution in Nebraska
- local governments in Nebraska, such county-issued Ids
- the U.S. military or IDs for veterans
- Native American tribes
- patient records with photos from nursing homes, assisted living, or hospitals
Popular types of IDs that are NOT accepted:
- out-of-state driver's licenses, state IDs, or postsecondary IDs
- IDs from private organizations
- any ID without a photo, such a Social Security card
Voting by mail
- You must re-apply for an early mail-in ballot before each election and provide your Nebraska ID number - the number on your driver's license or state-issued ID - on the early mail-in ballot application form.
- If you are using any other ID than a driver's license or state-issued ID, such as a passport or nursing home record, you must submit a photocopy of the document when requesting your early mail-in ballot.
- If you are voting in an all-vote-by-mail precinct, or in a mail-only special election, you must provide your ID number on the ballot return envelope or you can submit a photocopy of an accepted photo ID listed above.
If you lack on accepted ID on Election Day
You are still allowed to vote by a provisional ballot.
- For your provisional ballot to be counted, you must present an accepted ID at the office of your county election commissioner on or before the Tuesday following the election.
If you are at least 18 years of age, registered to vote, and do not have a valid driver's license, you can receive a free state ID by applying at your local DMV.
- If you were born in Nebraska, you can also receive a free state birth certificate to obtain a driver's license or state-issued identification card.
If you have a reasonable impediment to obtaining photo ID, you may complete a form called a "reasonable impediment certificate" that identifies your impediment and exempts you from the ID requirement.
- Acceptable reasons for exemption include the inability to acquire documentation necessary to obtain ID, disability or illness, or religious objections to being photographed.
For more on these exemptions, please visit bit.ly/SSnebraska