In Nebraska, we believe in things working efficiently, practically, and for everyone. That’s why our state has long embraced the option for any registered voter to cast a ballot by mail, no questions asked. It’s a straightforward, no-excuse system that reflects our values of trust, access, and local control.

Now, new national data from the 2024 U.S. Census Bureau’s Voting and Registration Supplement adds to that notion. The supplement, which covers data from the November 2024 election, shows that vote-by-mail significantly boosts turnout, especially among voters who have historically faced the most barriers to participation.

States that mailed ballots to all registered voters in 2024 saw turnout rates more than 8 percentage points higher than the national average. States that made vote-by-mail easier by sending out applications or offering permanent request lists also saw significant gains in participation, particularly among young voters, voters of color, and low-income voters.

Who’d a thunk it? The more seamless and predictable vote-by-mail is, the more people use it. And the result is broader participation, stronger engagement, and more voices at the table.

We’re on the right track …

Nebraska is already a no-excuse vote-by-mail state, meaning we can request a mail-in ballot without providing a reason. In 2024, nearly one in four Nebraska voters cast their ballot by mail. And in 11 counties with fewer than 10,000 residents, elections were conducted entirely by mail, with consistently strong turnout and streamlined election administration.

These are successes worth celebrating. They show that vote-by-mail works and that Nebraskans trust and use the system when it’s available.

… but we can’t stop now

If we want to maintain strong participation and ensure our elections are secure and accessible, we can start by implementing smart, voter-friendly upgrades. Here’s how Nebraska can build on its solid foundation:

 ›› Include prepaid postage with return envelopes. No Nebraskan should have to worry about stamps to exercise their right to vote. Prepaid return envelopes remove a small but meaningful barrier, and help ensure that every ballot is mailed back on time.

›› Let more counties conduct all-vote-by-mail elections. If it works in counties with fewer than 10,000 people, it can work elsewhere. Providing more counties with the option to hold elections entirely by mail can reduce costs, ease staffing burdens, and increase participation.

›› Create more permanent vote-by-mail request lists. Many voters prefer to vote by mail every election. Let’s make it easier by offering a permanent request list in as many counties around the state as possible, so voters receive a request form or ballot automatically without needing to reapply before each election.

›› Add more official, secure dropboxes. Especially in rural and suburban areas, dropboxes offer a convenient, trusted option for returning mail-in ballots. Expanding their availability would improve access while maintaining election integrity.

It’s practical, not partisan

Like many things, vote-by-mail has been dragged into the partisan muck in recent years. But its role remains straightforward: to make democracy work for real people, and to recognize that different voters have different needs and schedules. It honors the choices of working parents, rural residents, shift workers, students, military members, and older Nebraskans who rely on voting from home.

That’s clearly not just our opinion. The 2024 Census data makes the case plainly that vote-by-mail is a difference-maker. It increases turnout, promotes equity, and fosters confidence in our system of self-government.

That’s excellent news for those of us who believe in a democracy that works for everyone, not just on Election Day, but every day. Let’s keep improving what’s already good, and let’s make voting by mail even better for all Nebraskans.

Thanks to our friends at the National Vote at Home Institute for flagging and sharing this data.