RNC Sues Nebraska Over Overseas Voting Law

The Republican National Committee filed a lawsuit in Nebraska challenging a state law that allows some U.S. citizens who have never lived in the country to vote using a parent's Nebraska residency. The complaint argues the statute violates the state constitution's residency requirement for voters.

The RNC and two Nebraska voters are asking a court to stop election officials from issuing ballots under the provision.

The targeted language appears in a 2005 statute passed during the George W. Bush administration. The law was intended to give military personnel and citizens overseas an opportunity to participate in Nebraska elections. A 2010 update aligned the rules with the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act. State officials have confirmed the 2005 text is the provision now under challenge.

Positions in the Case RNC national spokeswoman Ally Triolo said the organization is challenging a law that permits people who have never lived in the state to vote in Nebraska elections. Outgoing Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen questioned the focus of the suit, noting that similar challenges in other states have produced mixed court rulings.

A federal judge in late June blocked an administration effort to expand use of a federal database for checking voter eligibility.

The RNC has filed similar suits in North Carolina, Michigan, Virginia, Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada. Michigan courts rejected one such challenge, while a North Carolina court ruled in favor of the RNC position. Evnen said he has referred the Nebraska case to the state attorney general. If the law is found unconstitutional, the state will not register voters under that provision.