Troublesome Election
Update 2: So government officials use the “shoot the messenger” tactic (https://www.wowt.com/2024/11/04/election-2024-nebraska-officials-debunk-viral-video-claiming-show-ballot-mule/).
Update: Lincoln Journal Star reporter has posted this. However, I have found no direct information from the Lancaster County Election Commission at this time. Hearsay? As for Todd Wiltgen, I say “the salvation of the state is watchfulness in the citizen'“.
No matter what your take is on mail-in ballots and early voting, the process still has way too many glitches. Recently, a Douglas County poll worker took issue with collecting ballots from drop boxes. This resulted in changes being made and the issue made the news (https://www.3newsnow.com/central-omaha/tamper-proof-how-douglas-county-ballots-are-transported-from-the-polls-to-counting-centers). This is more proof of a need of reviewing the whole process to maintain the integrity of the elections.
Also, there still appears to be plenty of suspicious activity. Video has surfaced from Lancaster County showing a man apparently stuffing a dropbox with ballots (https://rumble.com/v5llvse-ballot-mule-busted-on-camera-unloading-at-ballot-box-lincoln-nebraska.html).
There are other problems as well. A few elections ago, I voted in person on election day and was stunned by how many were showing up to vote a provisional ballot because they did not receive their mail-in ballot. This is not to blame the postal service as people often misplace their mail or fail to pick it up.
However, this type of experience has apparently encouraged more people to vote early and in person at the election office resulting in longer lines. Of course, this is a presidential election year and Nebraska has a record number of complex ballot initiatives. Also, voter ID appears to be slowing down the process some but not a lot.
What the impact will be is hard to tell. High voter turnouts tends to favor Democrats, but in this election, Republicans are voting early. The polls are so flawed as party registrations have shifted to Republicans. This shows in Nebraska. The following is taking from the Nebraska Secretary of State.
On nationwide scale we need to go to paper ballots, all parties are allowed to observe at the polling place and where ballots are counted. Day of voting is the only option unless you are incapacitated or show proof you are leaving town. If voting is so important like we keep being told then you make time for it. Sure it would require more polling places but we absolutely must start somewhere to get these elections back under control.