Nonpartisan small county races aim of bill

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County elected a Republican Sheriff in 2014 by a partisan vote coming from only its registered Republican voters. The lack of a Democratic candidate while four Republican candidates vied for the office drew headlines at-the-time pointing out only Republican voters, nearly two-thirds of voters in the county, would have input on the outcome.

Republican voters may not have the exclusive honor next time around, or with any county offices, if legislation introduced at the state level becomes law.

District 44 State Sen. Dan Hughes introduced the bill earlier this month, LB 183, which would allow counties with a population of 15,000 or fewer to adopt a resolution placing the election of county offices on the nonpartisan ballot.

The bill would allow Red Willow County Commissioners to adopt a one-time resolution that would stay in effect for all subsequent elections, according to the introduced copy.

The bill would also remove existing language requiring county offices to be elected on a partisan ballot and adds new language for candidates being nominated without a political party designation.

It was referred to the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on Jan. 12.

County offices include county commissioner, county sheriff, county attorney, public defender, register of deeds, county clerk, clerk of the district court, county engineer, county surveyor, county treasurer and county assessor.

During his weekly conference call with the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce, Sen. Hughes estimated 74 of Nebraska's 93 counties would be covered by the bill. Party affiliation would also be listed on the ballot.