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Douglas Co. Commissioner says mail-in voting likely here to stay

Election will test county's ability for future mail-in votes
Posted at 6:22 PM, Sep 28, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-28 20:17:41-04

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — If you requested a ballot, there's a good chance it's coming in the mail this week.

You'll have an option of mailing it in or taking it to one of 13 drop boxes in Douglas County, or one of six drop boxes throughout Sarpy County.

Legally, anybody can turn in your ballot. Douglas County Commissioner Brian Kruse tells voters to know who you're giving it to.

"Only give your ballot to someone you trust,” he says. “Just because you give your ballot to someone, does not mean that you've turned it in," he said.

In 2018, about 37 percent of residents voted early or by mail. Kruse thinks that will be around 70 percent this year.

Some, including President Donald Trump, worry increased voting by mail will lead to voter fraud. Kruse says his building security and its systems are in good shape.

He also points out, it's a felony to illegally cast even one vote.

"I'm not sure there's many people in Douglas County that really want to go to jail for voter fraud," Kruse says.

Before you turn your ballot in, make sure you sign the envelope. If you forget and realize it, you can still make sure you vote is counted.

"If your ballot is rejected, call our office because you have the opportunity to correct that," says Kruse.

Voting by mail is likely here to stay. Commissioner Chris Rodgers said Monday he wants to keep adding drop boxes with early voting possibly becoming the norm for many residents.

"The board has been advocating for years, that we can do all-mail election in Douglas County,” says Rodgers. “I think this helps have more confidence in the process with the citizens. We can get there and have greater participation in this process all throughout the county."

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