Petersen Applauds RNC Lawsuit Defending Nebraska’s Constitutional Residency Requirements for Voting

LINCOLN, NE — Scott Petersen, Republican nominee for Nebraska Secretary of State, today voiced his support for the Republican National Committee’s lawsuit challenging a Nebraska law that allows certain individuals who have never resided in Nebraska to vote in Nebraska elections.

The lawsuit, filed by the Republican National Committee alongside Nebraska voters, argues that Nebraska law currently permits certain individuals who have never lived in Nebraska, and in some cases have never lived in the United States, to vote in Nebraska elections solely because a parent is registered to vote in Nebraska. The lawsuit contends that this provision conflicts with the residency requirements established in the Nebraska Constitution.

“Nebraska elections should be decided by Nebraska residents,” Petersen said. “The Nebraska Constitution is clear that voting is tied to residency, and voters deserve confidence that those participating in our elections have established a lawful connection to the state.”

Petersen emphasized that the lawsuit does not affect military personnel, overseas citizens, or other voters who previously resided in Nebraska and remain eligible to vote under state and federal law.

“This case is about a narrow but important constitutional principle,” Petersen continued. “There is a significant difference between protecting the voting rights of Nebraskans living abroad and extending voting privileges to individuals who have never established residency in our state. That distinction matters.”

Petersen noted that the lawsuit focuses on constitutional interpretation rather than partisan politics.

“This case is not about partisan advantage,” Petersen said. “It is about whether Nebraska’s constitutional residency requirements mean what they say. Regardless of political affiliation, most citizens agree that voting in Nebraska should be tied to residency in Nebraska.”

The Secretary of State serves as Nebraska’s chief election officer and is responsible for maintaining voter registration systems, enforcing election laws, and ensuring public confidence in the electoral process.

“Public confidence in elections depends on public confidence in voter eligibility,” Petersen said. “Every lawful vote deserves to be counted, and every voter qualification established by the Constitution deserves to be enforced.”

Petersen noted that election integrity requires attention to both access and accountability.

“Voter ID, accurate voter rolls, transparent audits, and clear eligibility standards all work together,” he said. “No single reform is sufficient by itself. Nebraskans deserve election systems that are transparent, secure, and consistent with the Nebraska Constitution.”

As Secretary of State, Petersen pledged to work with county election officials, legislators, and voters to strengthen confidence in Nebraska elections through transparency, accountability, and faithful enforcement of election laws.

“Public trust is earned when election laws are clear, consistently applied, and faithfully enforced,” Petersen said. “Nebraskans should never have to wonder whether the constitutional qualifications for voting are being followed. I commend the effort to seek judicial clarity on this important question and to ensure Nebraska elections remain the responsibility of Nebraska voters.”