Lexington, Nebraska Public Records

Nebraska 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/. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by election date, and Nebraska residents. Registration or updates must be completed at least three weeks before Election Day, by the third Friday preceding the election. Nebraska requires voters to present photographic identification at the polls - acceptable forms include a Nebraska driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID. Municipal elections in Lexington determine the mayor and city council positions. The city operates under a mayor-council form of government, with a mayor elected at-large and a city council typically consisting of six members. These elections occur in odd-numbered years, generally in May, following Nebraska municipal election statutes. The next municipal election is scheduled for May 2025, when voters will decide city council seats and potentially the mayoral position. Candidate filings, ballot measures, and information specific to city elections can be obtained from the Lexington City Clerk at City Hall, 305 East 7th Street (phone: 308-324-2341). To find their assigned polling place, local voters can use the Nebraska Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/voterview, or contact the County Election Office. Assignments are based on residential address and precinct. Nebraska's public records law provides access to various election records. Voter registration lists are available for purchase for political purposes. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are filed with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission and are searchable at https://nadc.nebraska.gov. Candidate filing information, precinct-level election results, and voter turnout statistics are public records available through the County Election Office and the Secretary of State's website. In the November 2024 general election, Dawson County reported voter turnout of approximately 62-65% of registered voters, consistent with Nebraska's overall turnout. The county leaned Republican in most races, reflecting its conservative rural character. On November 3, 2026, Lexington and Dawson County voters will participate in the midterm general election. Key races on the ballot will include all of Nebraska's three U.S. House of Representatives seats, as the state's U.S. Senate seats are not up for election in 2026 (the next Senate election is in 2028). Voters will also elect the Nebraska Governor, state constitutional officers including Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, and Auditor. Nebraska's unique unicameral State Legislature - the only one-house legislature in the U.S. - will have approximately half of its 49 seats up for election on a rotating basis, including the district representing the area. County-level offices on the 2026 ballot may include County Commissioners, County Clerk, County Treasurer, County Assessor, County Sheriff, and County Attorney, depending on term expirations. The city will not hold municipal elections in 2026, as those occur in odd-numbered years. Nebraska voters can request absentee ballots (called "early voting ballots") for any reason. Applications can be requested online, by mail, by fax, or in person from the Dawson County Election Office beginning approximately 120 days before an election. Completed applications must be received by the second Friday before Election Day for mail ballots. Early in-person voting is available at the County Election Office beginning approximately 30 days before Election Day. Voters must provide identification when voting early in person or include a copy of acceptable ID with their absentee ballot request.