Voting 101

Grand Island, Nebr. – More than 2,500 ballots were mailed to Hall County voters this week marking the start of the 2024 Presidential Election. Hall County Election Commissioner Tracy Overstreet has some reminders for voting by mail, voting early in person or voting at your polling place on Election Day November 5.

“First and foremost, make sure your vote is easy to read and count by making a clear mark,” Overstreet said. “Color in that oval. Don’t make an X or a checkmark or a squiggle. Color in the oval.”

Next, vote the races most important to you and races that you feel comfortable voting in, she said.

“You don’t have to vote every race,” Overstreet said. “If you want to skip over a race or two or skip a question, there is no penalty for that. Voting is not like a test in school where you had to answer all the questions. Vote the races you want to and that’s what we’ll count.”

Bring your photo ID. Nebraska law now requires photo ID, such as a driver’s license or state ID. Early voters will include that ID information on their ballot application. Polling place voters will show the ID before they sign into the roster book.

Early voting in person opens Monday, October 7 at the Hall County Administration Building and runs through November 4. The hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Voters can get a ballot to vote on the spot or can get a take-out ballot.

Overstreet said this year’s ballot is a little longer than most – it’s a two-page ballot with five initiatives and one referendum, along with the federal, state and local races. Voters wanting to do research can see their sample ballot at Nebraska Voter Check https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/VoterView

Ballots may be returned to the Hall County Election Office in person, through the inside drop box, through the outside drop box located at the east entrance to the Hall County Administration Building or by mail with a first-class stamp. Ballots must be returned to the Hall County Election Office by 8 p.m. November 5, 2024 to be counted.