WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican National Committee (RNC) and two Nebraska voters filed a lawsuit to stop Nebraska from allowing individuals who have never lived in the state to vote in its elections.
"The
state of Nebraska allows U.S. citizens who have never lived in the state and
who currently reside overseas to vote in its elections, prompting a lawsuit
from the Republican National Committee.
"The
RNC is joined in the lawsuit by two Nebraska voters, Jack Riggins and Pamela
Dingman, who filed the complaint in Lancaster County District Court alleging
the 2010 law allowing non-residents to vote is a violation of the state
constitution. The law was passed to enact protections for service members and
other Americans living abroad.
"Lawsuits
such as this one could play out in state courts across the country. The RNC
successfully challenged a similar law in North Carolina, and 38 states have
some form of voting eligibility for citizens living abroad who never lived in
the respective states...
"Earlier
this month, a North Carolina court ruled 'never residents' are not eligible to
vote in state elections, siding with the RNC, which was also a plaintiff in the
case.
"The
lawsuit names Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen, a Republican with
oversight of state elections, as the defendant. A spokesman for Evnen’s office
did not respond to inquiries from the Daily Signal by publication time.
"The
RNC stressed that the lawsuit does not affect service members or overseas
voters who previously lived in Nebraska and remain legally eligible to vote
under state and federal law.
“'Nebraska’s Constitution is clear: voters must live in Nebraska,' RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said in a statement. 'This law tries to get around that requirement by allowing people who have never lived in the state to vote. The RNC is fighting to stop it and ensure Nebraska elections are decided by Nebraska voters only.'”
###
