On November 8, 2022 Nebraska will be holding its midterm elections. Midterms are held every two years, primarily to elect or reelect members into the two chambers of Congress, and vote for in state positions as well. In Nebraska’s midterm election this year there are a total of 11 positions being elected.

The signs have started appearing all over Lincoln and surrounding areas but it can be confusing as more and more names are displayed in yards, on billboards, and in commercials on who is running for what. When electing congress positions, there are 3 districts, each with different nominees. Lincoln and most of the Eastern corner of Nebraska minus Omaha make up the first district. Each district will elect one candidate for the House of Representatives for this year’s midterms.

The House of Representatives runs a two year term and this year there will be three candidates elected to join the other two in the house. There are seven candidates running for District 1’s representative but the two primary ones are Republican nominee, Mike Flood and democratic nominee, Patty Pansing Brooks. Including these two names, the other five’s names will be present on the ballot, including previous House member Jeff Fortenberry who was convicted of lying to the FBI about illegal campaign contributions. His name will be on the ballot but he has withdrawn from the election.

In addition to the House of Representative spots, citizens in Nebraska are also voting for governor, attorney general, treasurer, and Auditor of Public Accounts. To begin, the primary candidates for governor are republican, Jim Pillen and democrat, Carol Blood and libertarian, Scott Zimmerman. Whomever is elected governor will be responsible for overseeing the state executive branch and implementing laws. Pillen desires to grow the economy, preserve conservative values, restore education in Nebraska, and end abortion. Blood hopes to invest in Nebraska infrastructure, encourage education by fully funding schools, maintain public safety and improve public health. Zimmerman wants to ensure tax revenue is being spent wisely, limit federal overreach, provide more career opportunities, and reduce prison terms by diverting resources into rehabilitation and mental health programs.

The attorney general’s job is to work closely with Nebraska communities and ensure safety. Mike Hilgers, the republican party representative, aspires to ‘stand with law enforcement, defend innocent life, and protect our children’ if elected. The other nominee from the Legal Marijuana now party, Larry Bolinger campaigning on his ‘law reform to reduce recidivism.’

The treasurer manages funds, increases investment potential, and is the chief financial officer. The two candidates for this position are Republican, John Murante and Libertarian, Katrina Tomsen.

Finally, the auditor of public accounts nominees are Republican Mike Foley, Legal Marijiana Now party representative L. Leroy Lopez and Libertarian Gene Siadek. As stated by the Lincoln Journal Star, their main responsibility will be to oversee an office that conducts examinations of state agencies, boards and bureaus.

In addition to the congress and state positions there will be candidates on the ballots for specific counties. In particular Lancaster County will be electing a new County attorney, Public Defender, County Sheriff, County Treasurer, and County Clerk of the District Court.

The nominees for the County attorney are republican, Pat Condon and democrat, Adam Morfeld. Each has different visions for the community. Condon’s agenda includes enforcing justice while giving those persecuted the best chance at rehabilitation, ensuring public safety, and continuing his already developed diversion programs which according to Condon’s website have relieved court congestion and saved taxpayer dollars all while promoting productive citizens in the community after correctional time. Morfeld on the other hand plans to prioritize public safety, invest in the victims of crimes , and stop automatically charging minor nonviolent drug possession offenses as felonies. Morfeld wants to ensure no innocent people are stuck in jail by creating a conviction integrity unit that as stated on his website “should always work to see justice by ensuring there are prosecutors willing to look at new evidence and right any wrongs.”

As for the Public Defender position republican, Trevin Preble and democrat, Kristi Egger are in the running. The elected official’s job will fulfill the right for all people to have an attorney by providing those who can not afford it with legal representation.

Perhaps one of the more spoken about positions that will appear on the ballot is the Lancaster County Sheriff. Republican Terry Wagner, Democracy Jay Pitts, and Libertarian Conan Thomas. Each have different agendas that can be further explored on their personal platform websites. Regardless of who is elected, their job will be maintaining peace and enforcing laws in areas with less police presence.

The two nominees for county treasurer are republican, Tracy Refior and democrat, Rachel Garver. When elected, the country treasurer will collect property taxes and then distribute them to schools, fire districts, cities and villages.

The final Lancaster specific position that will appear on the ballot is the county clerk of the district court. republican, Troy Hawk and democrat, Lin Quenzer are running in order to fulfill the responsibility of keeping records and filing and maintaining legal documents. As stated by Run for Office, the clerk “oversees filings, collects fees, and may administer oaths.” Each candidate’s agenda can be located on their personal platform websites.

Early voting registration in person begins on October 8. The final day to register by mail or online is October 21 while October 28 is the last day for registering in person or requesting a ‘mail in ballot’. November 7 will be the last day to vote early in person and November 8 is the deadline for ‘mail in ballots’ to be submitted. More information on how to vote can be found on Ballotpedia or Nebraska Gov. Remember your voice counts!

For any extra questions, visit https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections/2022-elections