LINCOLN — The full Nebraska Legislature will consider a proposal to allow people living outside city limits in Omaha and Lincoln to vote in municipal elections, as part of a bill that would also expand oversight of no-bid state contracts.
The Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee voted 5-3 along ideological lines to advance an expanded version of Legislative Bill 997, introduced by State Sen. Bob Andersen of Sarpy County. The measure now includes a narrowed version of LB 951 from State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, addressing city elections in Omaha and Lincoln.
“Not about changing elections, just want to give these individuals a seat at the table,” Ballard said after the committee vote. “It’s all about transparency and accountability.”
Under the proposal, residents of unincorporated areas within the three-mile extraterritorial zoning jurisdictions of the state’s two largest cities would be allowed to vote in city elections, excluding bond measures. State zoning laws already give city officials limited planning and regulatory authority over those areas.
The original elections bill would have applied to all cities and villages statewide.
Ballard said the issue amounts to “taxation without representation.” However, several local officials in Lincoln and Omaha oppose the proposal, arguing it creates “representation without taxation.”
If approved, Lincoln and Omaha would need to redraw city council districts by Jan. 1. Lincoln holds city elections every two years, while Omaha’s next election is scheduled for 2029. Both cities currently have Democratic leadership and council majorities.
Andersen’s base bill, proposed on behalf of State Auditor Mike Foley, received support during its public hearing from the Nebraska Governor’s Office. It would require copies of no-bid state contracts to be sent to the auditor’s office in addition to the Department of Administrative Services, which operates under Gov. Jim Pillen.
The proposal comes amid controversy over a no-bid emergency contract between the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and a lobbyist recommended by Pillen. The contract has been the subject of two state audit letters and is now under review by Lincoln police.
The original version of LB 997 had advanced 8-0 from the committee two weeks earlier. An earlier attempt to attach the elections proposal failed in a 4-4 vote, with State Sen. Fred Meyer breaking from fellow Republicans in opposition before later changing his position.
State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha suggested that if Ballard’s proposal moves forward, Omaha and Lincoln should have the option to eliminate their extraterritorial zoning jurisdictions.
Committee Chair State Sen. Rita Sanders ruled that the amendment could not be voted on for at least 24 hours. In the meantime, Cavanaugh and Ballard agreed to work toward a compromise, and Cavanaugh withdrew the suggestion.
Cavanaugh noted that residents in those areas already have representation on zoning boards and are not affected by many day-to-day city decisions, such as budgets, police pensions, fire services or road maintenance.
“It is sort of a sledgehammer when a flyswatter is needed situation,” Cavanaugh said.
Ballard said he remains hopeful about reaching an agreement and looks forward to debate on the legislative floor.
“We don’t have any kind of agreement yet, but we have an agreement to try to get to an agreement,” Cavanaugh said.
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