Friend, Nebraska Public Records

Residents can register to vote online through the Nebraska Secretary of State's Online Voter Registration system at https://www.nebraska.gov/apps-sos-voter-registration/. The deadline to register for any election is 6:00 p.m. On the third Friday before Election Day, or the second Friday before if registering in person at the Saline County office. Nebraska requires voters to provide their Nebraska driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. First-time voters who register by mail may be required to provide identification when voting. The community holds municipal elections for village board trustees and other village offices. As a village government, elections typically occur in odd-numbered years, with the next regular municipal election scheduled for 2025. The Village Board consists of trustees elected to staggered four-year terms. Information about local candidates, ballot measures, and filing deadlines is available through the Saline County Clerk and posted at Friend Village Hall. Because this is a small community, municipal elections sometimes feature uncontested races, though local issues can generate competitive contests. Local voters can find their assigned polling location using the Nebraska Voter Registration Lookup tool at https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/voterview, where they enter their name and date of birth to view their registration status, polling place, and sample ballot. The city typically has one or two polling locations serving village precincts, usually at the Friend Community Building or similar public facility. Nebraska provides extensive public access to election records. Voter registration lists are available for purchase for political purposes, though personal information is protected. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are searchable through the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission at https://www.nebraska.gov/nadc/. Candidate filings and financial disclosures are public records. Election results by precinct are published by the Saline County Clerk and the Nebraska Secretary of State, showing vote totals for all races. In the November 2024 presidential election, Saline County recorded turnout of approximately 71% of registered voters, reflecting Nebraska's traditionally high voter participation rates. The county, like most rural Nebraska counties, voted predominantly Republican in the 2024 presidential race, continuing long-standing regional voting patterns. S. Senate seats will also be on the ballot in 2026, as Senator Deb Fischer's term expires. Nebraska's unicameral legislature, unique among U.S. States, will have selected seats up for election, including the district that represents Saline County. County offices up for election in 2026 will likely include county commissioners, county clerk, sheriff, assessor, and other constitutional offices, as Nebraska counties hold elections on staggered schedules. The village may also have board positions on the ballot depending on term expirations. Voters should check with the Saline County Clerk for the complete list of races and candidates as the election approaches. Nebraska offers early voting beginning 30 days before any election at Saline County Clerk's office during business hours. Mail-in absentee ballots are available to any registered voter who requests one. Applications for mail ballots can be submitted through the Online Ballot Request system at https://www.nebraska.gov/apps-sos-voter-registration/ or by contacting the Saline County Clerk. The deadline to request a mail ballot is 6:00 p.m. The second Friday before Election Day. Completed ballots must be received by Saline County Clerk by the close of polls on Election Day, not simply postmarked by that date. Nebraska does not offer "no-excuse" permanent absentee status, so voters must request a ballot for each election.