It’s taking early voters “no more than 30 minutes to get through the line” at the Douglas County office at 12220 West Center Road, the election commissioner said. The last day to vote early in person is Nov. 2. Mail-in ballots should sent by Oct. 27 to reach the office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Official ballot drop boxes are the most direct way for Omaha voters to return their early ballots, Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse says. This one is in a Clarkson College parking lot near 42nd and Farnam Streets.
Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian W. Kruse said lines at the election office often look longer than they really are because voters are social distancing. He pointed out that “as long as you’re in line by the time we close, you will be served.”
A driver puts a ballot in a drop box at the Douglas County Election Commission Office. Ballots will be accepted at official drop boxes until 8 p.m. Nov. 3. The election office will remain open until 6 p.m. Friday to accommodate people registering on the last day.
Watch the process of filling out and dropping off your early voting ballot in Nebraska.
It may seem like Election Day is taking forever to get here, but time is about to run out for Nebraska voters who haven’t voted yet.
The deadline to register to vote in Nebraska is Friday. The only way to do that now is in person at your county election office. In Omaha, the Douglas County Election Commission Office, 12220 West Center Road, will stay open until 6 p.m. Friday to help accommodate voters registering on the last day, Election Commissioner Brian W. Kruse said.
Kruse used an appearance at the weekly Douglas County Board meeting Tuesday to stress the big deadlines looming for voters, as well as reassure the public that his office is ready for the Nov. 3 election.
Friday is also the last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot. Those ballots must be received by the Douglas County Election Commission, either at its office or at one of its official drop box locations, by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The ballots can be mailed, but the drop boxes are the most direct way to return the ballots to the commission, Kruse said.
“The post office has recommended not mailing your ballot after Oct. 27,” Kruse said.
The last day to vote early in person at the Election Commission Office is Nov. 2. Voters may vote in person at the Election Commission through that Monday at 5 p.m., or may have an agent pick up their ballot at the Election Commission until Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m.
Also, the Douglas County Election Commission will have some extra hours next week: staying open until 6 p.m. on Oct. 27, 28 and 29, and opening on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Kruse said the early voting lines have been out the door at the Election Commission Office, but they look longer than they are because of social distancing. He said it’s been taking voters “20, no more than 30 minutes to get through the line.” He urged people not to get discouraged and leave when they see a line.
“As long as you’re in line by the time we close, you will be served,” he said.
Our best staff images of October 2020
Photos: Our best staff images of October 2020
Turtle Voting Power
Rida Rahman, 4, waits in line with her parents, Hafiz Rahman, left, and Shamsun Ruby, right, at the Douglas County Election Commission on Saturday, October 31, 2020. Rida was dressed as Raphael, from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, while her parents were in line for early voting.
Early Vote
Douglas County residents wait in line to vote early outside the Douglas County Election Commissioner’s Office in Omaha on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020.
Flex
Omaha Westside's Koby Bretz tries to catch a pass in front of Grand Island's Alex Hinken in the end zone. It was ruled not a catch.
Pass
Gretna wide receiver Connor Edwards battles Kearney defensive back Kaden Miller for control of a pass.
Guard
Security personnel oversee a rally supporting President Donald Trump at Eppley Airfield in Omaha on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. President Trump spoke as part of a Make America Great Again! campaign rally later in the evening.
President Trump Visits
Supporters cheer as President Donald Trump speaks at Eppley Airfield in Omaha on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. President Trump spoke as part of a Make America Great Again! campaign rally.
Snow
Yemin Zeng, right, pushes Yechun Zeng, both 5, on a sled down a hill at Memorial Park early Monday afternoon. Overnight, snow fell in the Omaha area but had mostly melted by the afternoon.
Jump
Millard North’s Jimmy Quaintance, left, Charlie Quaintance, center, and Barrett Luce celebrate a first-quarter touchdown against Norfolk. Jimmy threw the scoring pass to his brother, Charlie.
Ready
Kearney Catholic's Gavin Drumheller (53), Kale Murphy (52) and Seth Moore (66) line up as their team is introduced before the start of the Cozad vs. Kearney Catholic football game at Kearney Catholic High School on Friday, October 23, 2020.
Cold
Kearney Catholic cheerleaders huddle for warmth in the fourth quarter of the Cozad vs. Kearney Catholic football game at Kearney Catholic High School on Friday, October 23, 2020. Kearney Catholic won the game 31-0.
Opposite Worlds
The Elkhorn student section storms the field as Omaha Skutt Catholic players walk off the field.
Eye on Ball
Elkhorn South's Katie Galligan (6) competes in the Elkhorn South vs. Papillion-La Vista South Metro Conference championship match at Papillion-La Vista South High School on Thursday, October 22, 2020. Elkhorn South won in five sets. Elkhorn South won in five sets.
Spooky Vote
A spooky reminder to vote in a home's yard near 72nd and Cass Street in Omaha on Thursday, October 22, 2020.
Colorful Run
Leaves start to change color on trees as a jogger runs down the south side of the Dodge Street Pedestrian bridge, as viewed from Memorial Park on Wednesday, October 21, 2020.
High school first day
Students return to school for their first day of in person classes for the 2020-2021 school year at South High School in Omaha on Monday, October 19, 2020.
Cheer
Elkhorn South fans cheer from the stands during a timeout against Bellevue West.
Softball Champs 1
Papio pitcher Jordyn Bahl hugs head coach Todd Petersen after winning the Class A Championship over North Platte.
Softball Champs 2
Omaha Skutt Catholic second baseman Alexa Rose reacts after scoring against North Platte.
Drum
The Southern Boyz drum group strikes a drum during a memorial ceremony for Zachary Bear Heels at Schroeder Vogel Park in Omaha on Saturday, October 17, 2020.
Stiff Arm
Omaha Westside quarterback Cole Payton runs 60-yards as he stiff-arms Kansas City St. Thomas Aquinas’ Jacob Bittner in the first quarter for Westside’s third touchdown of the first quarter against at Omaha Westside on Friday, October 16, 2020.
Pumpkin Paint
Reagan Garvey, left, and Sarah Babe, both 19 and of Omaha, paint pumpkins at Elmwood Park in Omaha on Monday, October 12, 2020.
Renovate
Renovation work continues on the site of the historic former Logan Hotel, located at 1802 Dodge St.on Monday, October 12, 2020.
Nature Color
A tree changes colors at Elmwood Park in Omaha on Monday, October 12, 2020.
Build
Siblings Juan Jesus Alvarez, 10, and Shantaly Alvarez, 9, of Omaha build a structure modeled after a Native American tent with branches at Elmwood Park on Monday.
Enter
Millard West takes the field before the start of the Millard West vs. Bellevue West football game at Bellevue West High School on Friday, October 9, 2020. Bellevue West won the game 42-7.
Harvest
Zach Benes harvests soybeans on farm east North of Lincoln, just east of North 40th Street, north of Interstate 80 on Wednesday, September 30, 2020.
Jump
Elkhorn South's line backer Makhi Nelson-Douglas (2) and defensive lineman Maverick Noonan celebrate after sacking Gretna quarterback Zane Flores (not pictured).
Roses
People smell the flowers in the Memorial Park Rose Garden in Omaha on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
Friday Night Lights
Omaha Skutt's Sam Scott scores a third-quarter touchdown against Gretna.
Vice President
Vice President Mike Pence arrives at Eppley Airfield in Omaha on Thursday, October 01, 2020. The vice president spoke at PVS Structures, a metal fabricator, in Carter Lake, Iowa as part of a Make America Great Again! campaign event.
Touchdown
Gretna quarterback Zane Flores lucks up after rushing for a third quarter touchdown against Omaha Skutt.
Pet Parade
Dawn Forney, left, and Jolynn Keplinger, both of Omaha, wear Tigger and Winnie the Pooh costumes as their dogs Bitsy, a 6-year-old Maltese poodle mix and Scarlet, a 3-year-old Great Dane, wear Piglet and Eeyore costumes for the pet parade during Farnam Fest along Farnam Street in Omaha on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
First Day Back
Students arrive for the first day of in-person class for OPS elementary schools at Springville Elementary School in Omaha on Monday, October 5, 2020. Families that have opted for in-person teaching will follow a 3-2 model, with students in the classroom every other day.
chris.burbach@owh.com, 402-444-1057
Chris Burbach
Chris Burbach covers the Douglas County Board, Planning Board and other local government bodies, as well as local neighborhood issues. Follow him on Twitter @chrisburbach. Phone: 402-444-1057.
