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According to www.fairvote.org, 30 percent of people cast their vote before Election Day using absentee or early voter ballots in the 2004 general election. That number was up from the 2000 general election, in which an estimated 15 percent of people voted by absentee ballot.
“Traditionally in Nebraska, absentee ballots make up about seven to 17 percent of the election results,” said Neil Erickson, deputy secretary of state for elections.
“With early voter ballots, there’s no excuse not to vote,” said Barbara Tripp, voter service chair and past-president of the non-partisan League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha.
The League of Women Voters, which works to encourage informed voting in local elections and increase understanding of major public policy issues, will be on the UNMC campus on Tuesday to offer all Nebraska residents the opportunity to register to vote in advance of the Nov. 4 election, re-register to vote (in the event of a name, address or political party affiliation change), request an absentee/early voter ballot and receive a voter guide with information on the candidates and their stances on ballot initiatives.
The league members will be on the third floor of the University Tower outside the Nebraska Cafe and in the Alumni Commons of the Sorrell Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
As part of the League of Women Voters, Tripp has participated in more than 60 voter drives since May.
Tripp noted that early voter ballots are now being mailed out to registered voters who have requested them. The ballots must be mailed back by Nov. 4.
“We get a lot of people registered, but the rest of the battle is getting people to polls,” she said. “Being able to vote early does make it convenient and easy for people. I think it makes a difference in the turnout.”