It’s an election year, and it’s important for young people to use their voices and exercise their right to VOTE!
New Voter ID laws require that you show an acceptable photo identification in order to vote. This is usually a driver’s license or state ID, but click here for a list of additional options (and more details about the VOTER ID requirements).
Unfortunately, getting access to a driver’s license or state ID can sometimes be a barrier for young people with foster care experience if they don’t have access to their vital documents. However, under Nebraska law, as a foster youth, you have a right to your own information!
Here is how you can get what you need now so that you can vote on election day:
- DHHS is required to provide you with a driver’s license or state identification card (and all documents necessary to get the license/card) – if you request it at age 14 or older, and also when you exit foster care at age 18, 19 or 21 if you participated in the Bridge to Independence (B2I) program
- In addition, DHHS is required to provide you with your birth certificate and your social security card (if eligible) – when you exit foster care at age 18, 19 or 21 if you participated in the B2I program
- If you did not receive these documents, you have a few options:
- If you are still in foster care or B2I, you can request them from your caseworker/independence coordinator or your guardian ad litem (GAL)
- If you are no longer in foster care or B2I, you can make a request using this form.
Here are a few Q&As about the voting process:
When is election day this year?
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
What are the requirements to vote in Nebraska?
- You must be 18 years old
- You must be a U.S. citizen
- You must be registered to vote
- If you have been previously convicted of a felony, you must complete your sentence and probation, supervised release, or parole for at least two years before you are allowed to re-register to vote,
How do you register to vote?
You can register to vote online at this link. You can also register to vote in person at your county election office or local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
How do you vote by mail?
You have to apply for an early mail-in ballot for each election and provide your Nebraska ID number – the number on your driver’s license or state ID. If you are using another type of approved identification, such as a passport, you have to submit a photocopy of the document when you request your mail-in ballot. The form to apply for an early mail-in ballot will be mailed to you after you register to vote.
If you want to vote in person, how do you know where to go?
You can find your precinct, by looking up yourself (and your friends!) on the Nebraska Voter Information Lookup.
How can I educate myself ahead of time about who and what is going to be on the ballot?
Right now, we don’t know for sure what initiatives will be on the ballot, because petitions are still being signed and counted to see if they qualify to be voted on. We will know what issues are qualifying by the end of July. However, before the election, you can go to the Secretary of State’s office or your county election office, or check the Secretary of State’s website, to get a copy of a sample ballot that you can review in advance.
Where can I go for more information?
If you have questions or run into issues, you can contact:
- Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office
- Civic Nebraska
If you vote in person, don’t forget to get a sticker and take a ballot selfie! (Note: in Nebraska, you ARE allowed to use your phone at the polls to snap that selfie while performing your civic duty!)