Civic Nebraska wants non-partisan election observers

Civic Nebraska is asking for more volunteers for their non-partisan observation company for the upcoming elections. Volunteers watch poll workers and voters to check for potential problems and make sure everything runs smoothly.

John Cartier, the director of voting rights at Civic Nebraska said they currently have around 60 volunteers, which isn't enough for the expected 70-80 polling locations for the May 15 primary election.

"Since the presidential election in 2000, there was a need discovered of making sure that there is a 3rd party independent observer in different polling locations across the country during our more important elections," he said.

To become a volunteer, you fill in a form online and go through about an hour of training. The training includes learning about how Nebraska elections work and Nebraska laws.

"There's been some things that have come up in the past, such as poll workers asking for voters' registration number and asking voters for their identification, which is against Nebraska and federal law," said Cartier.

Volunteers are also there to answer any questions voters might have or update their information if something is incorrect.

"There's been instances where individuals who have completed their felony sentences after two years are trying to vote," he said.

Cartier said he'd like to have dozens more volunteers by the November 6 general election.

To become a volunteer, click

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For more information on registering to vote, click

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