New Legislative Proposals Could Change Lincoln and Omaha’s Election Landscape
In a move that could significantly alter the electoral calendar, State Senator John Cavanaugh of Omaha, a Democrat, has successfully passed a law in 2025 allowing voters in Lincoln and Omaha to align their off-year elections with statewide election dates. This legislative change aims to streamline the voting process and potentially increase voter turnout. The detailed proposal can be found here.
Another notable initiative on the table involves implementing term limits for Lincoln City Council members. If enacted, this proposal would restrict council members to two consecutive four-year terms, though any terms served before 2027 would not count towards this limit. Lincoln had already set term limits for its mayor in 2018, capping service at three consecutive four-year terms.
Under these new rules, district-representing City Council members elected in 2027 could run again in 2028, with a term limit reached by 2032. Meanwhile, the three at-large council members could seek reelection in 2030 and 2034, with possible service until 2038.
As for Lincoln’s mayor, Gaylor Baird has yet to announce her intentions for a third term. Her previous campaign in 2023 was notably costly, against former State Senator Suzanne Geist, who now serves in the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office. If Baird decides to run and wins, she would face term limits by the 2028 election as per the new proposal, instead of 2031.
Representation for Nonresident Voters?
The final proposal under consideration could expand voting rights to those living within Lincoln’s three-mile “extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction,” though city bond elections would remain off-limits. While these residents must adhere to certain city zoning laws, they do not pay the same property taxes as Lincoln residents.
Currently, Lincoln voters need a minimum of three months of residency within city limits to vote in city elections. State Senator Beau Ballard initially proposed a broader legislative change this spring, aiming to include all extraterritorial jurisdictions, but later restricted it to Lincoln. However, due to opposition and time constraints, Ballard eventually withdrew his proposal. For more details, visit this link.
Critics have labeled the measure as “representation without taxation,” citing existing representation from extraterritorial areas in city zoning boards. Some opponents also suggest the proposal could have partisan motives, potentially benefiting conservatives living in rural areas outside Lincoln. Supporters, including Ballard, argue the current system amounts to “taxation without representation” as Lincoln controls development within its jurisdiction without granting voting rights to those impacted. Notably, Gaylor Baird secured her 2023 election by approximately 7,800 votes, and around 10,000 people reside in the three-mile area surrounding Lincoln.
