Ames, Nebraska Public Records

Voter registration is available online through the Nebraska Secretary of State's website at sos.nebraska.gov/elections/voter-registration, or by completing an application at the County Election Office, public libraries, DMV offices, and various state agencies. Nebraska requires registration at least 10 days before an election, with the deadline extended if it falls on a weekend or holiday. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by the election date, and Nebraska residents. Online registration requires a Nebraska driver's license or state ID number. The state does not offer same-day voter registration. As an unincorporated community, Ames has no municipal elections for mayor or city council. Instead, residents participate in Dodge County, state, and federal elections. County-level positions include County Commissioners, County Sheriff, County Attorney, County Assessor, County Clerk, County Treasurer, and Register of Deeds. These offices are generally elected in even-numbered years, with some on four-year staggered terms. Local voters are part of Nebraska Legislative District 23 for state legislature elections. Nebraska operates a unique unicameral legislature with nonpartisan elections. Residents can find their assigned polling place using the lookup tool at sos.nebraska.gov/elections/voter-information-lookup or by contacting the County Election Commissioner. Valid photo ID is required at the polls - Nebraska driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID, tribal ID, or student ID from a Nebraska postsecondary institution. Early voting begins 30 days before any election and runs through the day before Election Day at the County Election Office. Nebraska's public records law makes certain election materials publicly accessible. Voter registration lists can be inspected and purchased for political purposes, though commercial solicitation is prohibited. Campaign finance reports are filed with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission and searchable at nadc.nebraska.gov. Candidate filings, including petitions and statements of candidacy, are available from the Election Commissioner. Precinct-by-precinct results are posted on the Dodge County website after certification. The county favored Republican candidates in most statewide and federal races, consistent with historical patterns. Nebraska's Class II U.S.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Ames voters are published by the Nebraska Secretary of State Elections (https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections). State legislature seats for odd-numbered districts will appear on the ballot, including Nebraska Legislative District 23 if it follows the regular cycle. Local school board positions and ballot measures affecting area schools or county issues may also appear. Nebraska voters can request absentee ballots - called "early voting ballots" - for any reason. Requests can be submitted online through the Secretary of State's website, in person at the County Election Office, or by mail. The deadline for mail requests is the second Friday before Election Day; in-person requests can be made through the day before the election. Voted ballots must be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day and received within the statutory period) or delivered in person to the Election Office by 8:00 PM on Election Day.