LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha state senator is asking her fellow lawmakers to reverse a law that has cut in half the number of voting places available in her district.
Omaha Senator Sara Howard said on Thursday that her community has lost trust in the electoral system after more than a third of the city's polling places were eliminated last year. Howard's bill would reduce the maximum number of voters per precinct from 1,750 to 1,000. A 2011 law increased the maximum. Her bill would also require Omaha and Lincoln election commissioners to hold public hearings for precinct redistricting.
Voting right advocates supported the bill. Lancaster and Sarpy County Commissioners testified against the bill. Douglas County Election Commissioner Dave Phipps says he doesn't think the bill is necessary.
The bill is LB235.
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