New Political Parties Poised to Shake Up Nebraska’s November Ballots
Nebraska voters might soon encounter fresh political options on their November ballots as two new parties have been authorized by the state’s Secretary of State. The Nebraska Working People Party and the America First Party have both successfully completed the necessary steps to be officially recognized ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
These groups met the requirements by gathering enough signatures—specifically, at least one percent of the total votes cast for governor in the last general election, translating to about 6,726 signatures from Nebraska voters. Additionally, they needed to secure roughly 2,200 signatures from each of Nebraska’s three Congressional districts.
According to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office, the Nebraska Working People Party filed their petitions on July 14, while the America First Party followed suit on July 15. Verification of signatures ceased once each party surpassed 110% of the required number of signatures both in each congressional district and overall.
Having achieved the signature milestone, Nebraska law permits these new political entities to place candidates directly on the general election ballot, bypassing the primary elections phase. However, they must still submit their party constitutions, bylaws, and a list of officers to the Secretary of State’s Office by August 27. Failure to do so will result in the parties not being certified.
Upon completion of these requirements, the new parties will join existing ones—Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, and Legal Marijuana NOW—offering Nebraska voters more choices. Those preferring to remain unaffiliated can still register as nonpartisan.
The parties also need to file a candidate filing form by September 1, as outlined in Nebraska law. Additionally, a nomination petition must include signatures from at least 25 registered voters within each of the new parties.
Robin Richards, a Democrat who previously attempted a write-in campaign for Legislative District 12, outlined the Nebraska Working People Party’s mission to “provide Nebraska voters with a political organization dedicated to advancing the interests of working families, middle-class Nebraskans, rural communities, small businesses, farmers, ranchers, and individuals seeking practical solutions to improve economic opportunity, strengthen communities, and promote responsive and accountable government.”
The party’s new website emphasizes key principles such as affordable healthcare, fair wages, robust public school funding, environmental protection, and accessible housing.
Conversely, John Cartier, a nonpartisan and attorney general for the Omaha Tribe, stated in an affidavit that the America First Party is committed to “provide voters with a political organization committed to putting Americans and Nebraskans ahead of all others by cracking down on out-of-control government spending and wasteful foreign aid, getting tough on illegal immigrants, standing up against abortion, and rigidly defending the Second Amendment.”
The America First Party’s website outlines priorities such as prioritizing America and Nebraska, reducing government spending, securing borders, and defending family values and the Second Amendment.
However, both parties face scrutiny and accusations of being potential ‘spoilers’ in the competitive midterm races. When the Nebraska Working People Party began its petitioning, Nebraska Democratic Party leaders speculated involvement from top Republicans, such as Pete Ricketts, who is up for reelection. They suggest the party could be a Republican strategy to influence election outcomes.
While requests for comments from Ricketts’ and Flood’s campaigns went unanswered, Nebraska GOP Chair Mary Jane Truemper emphasized that, “No ‘top’ Republican would ever try to undermine our nominees,” adding that the party remains focused on electing Republicans.
Amid the America First Party’s petitioning, Truemper criticized alleged Democratic involvement, claiming the party was a strategic move to split conservative votes, though Democratic Chair Jane Kleeb denied knowledge of such efforts.
