We're tracking local and national races as voters head to the polls in your neighborhood. Check here for updates throughout election day.
10:55 PM Update:
DDHQ projects Donald Trump has won the election in both Iowa and Nebraska.
Stay with 3 News Now for the very latest on results in every race across the area.
8:45 PM Update:
Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse gives an update on voter turnout and how things have been going at polling places in Douglas County.
8:35 PM Update:
Supporters took to major intersections like 72nd and Dodge earlier today to hold signs and wave as cars passed by during rush hour.
Many have been out for hours, some even showing up for multiple days, to show their support and encourage people to vote.
8:25 PM Update:
As voters in Council Bluffs left the polls today, some made a stop at the grave of local suffragette, Amelia Bloomer, to leave their "I Voted" stickers at her gravesite.
8:15 PM Update:
In the final hours before polls closed, Nebraska Republicans were hammering the message — highlighting their experience in office.
The whole slate of incumbents are veteran politicians, but their opponents are trying to use that familiarity with voters to their advantage.
The two most competitive challengers, Osborn and Vargas, are offering voters a fresh face and new policies that they hope will lure Nebraska’s traditionally conservative voters to new candidates.
8:05 PM Update:
Voters in North Omaha share what's motivating them to vote this election cycle and why they're encouraging others to use their voice, too.
7:55 PM Update:
I'm Hannah McIlree in Central Omaha where I went to multiple polling sites to speak to neighbors about key issues and the excitement around casting their vote.
7:45 PM Update:
Voters in Sarpy County and South Omaha showed up to cast their vote today.
Many said they were driven to vote due to big issues on the ballot this year, including medical marijuana, women’s rights and education.
4:27 PM Update:
In Mills County, Iowa, officials say an issue with printing voter forms did not impact voting.
The county auditor says tablets at polling places were not able to print voter eligibility forms, but they had a backup plan and workers issued written forms instead.
Staff later drove to precincts to perform an update, and the issue was resolved in an hour.
Electioneering laws in Nebraska
The Douglas County Election Commission says there is a list of things you can't do while hitting the poles.
Though it may be enticing to wear your favorite candidates gear Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse says you cannot participate in electioneering within 200 feet of a polling place. These electioneering laws have been in place in Nebraska since the 90s.
"Please leave all of your electioneering stuff at home, hats, buttons, pins, coats, stocking hats, whatever it may be, it just makes for a much more enjoyable atmosphere for poll workers and for the voters. And it is the law in Nebraska," said Kruse.
Voter ID in Nebraska
In person voters need to bring a form of ID, eligible forms include:
- Nebraska drivers license
- Nebraska ID
- Nebraska College ID
- Nebraska Political Subdivision ID
- Military ID
- Tribal ID
- U.S. Passport
- Hospital or nursing home records.
Election Day voting locations and hours in Nebraska
Election Day voting does not occur at the election commissions office, voters will need to go their neighborhood polling station, which can be found at votedouglascounty.com.
Voting in Douglas County is from 8 am to 8 pm. A marker will be placed at the end of the line at 8pm, so those still in the line may cast their vote.
Election Day rules in Iowa
If you're voting at the polls in Iowa today here's what you need to know.
- Polls in Iowa are open from 7 am to 8 pm.
- Bring your ID. An Iowa Driver's License or Non-Operator ID will work. A U.S. Passport, Military or Veteran ID, Tribal ID or Iowa Voter ID card will also be accepted.
- If you have an absentee ballot and haven't turned it in, it must be received by the auditor's office at the close of the polls. Don't mail it.
- If you're not sure where to vote you can look it up by zip code on the Iowa’s Secretary of State website. Or call your county auditor's office.
- Iowa is a little different than Nebraska when it comes to campaign buttons or clothing. You can wear it to vote but you must leave the polling place as soon as you are done.
Election Day forecast
Rain will continue for a lot of us in the first half of the morning, so take your rain gear to the polls if you are going on your way into work or school. The rain will exit to the northeast late in the morning, and most of us will be dry by the lunch hour. The sunshine takes over for the afternoon with highs in the low 50s. If you're voting after work, it will be in the upper 40s. If you're jumping into the line right before the 8 p.m. deadline, we will in the low 40s, so take a good coat.
Big Issues Motivate Central Omaha Voters
From Hannah McIlree, Central Omaha Neighborhood Reporter:
I talked with voters at multiple Central Omaha polling sites about the issues that most motivated them to vote this year. Here are a couple of brief quotes from those conversations:
"Just to be a part of it just to see everybody in your neighborhood coming out to vote and it just does feel a little bit more meaningful to come out and do it in person," said Samantha Pollard, an Omaha voter.
"I think it's really important because we got to, really, really have to vote this season," said Ryan Cooper, an Omaha voter.
"I mean, there's a lot of women's rights, women's rights that were on the ballot that I want protected," said Millie Lain, an Omaha voter.
"The economy and everything that's been happening the last four years. So I just feel it's important to get out and exercise your right and let your voice be heard," said Teddy Johnson, an Omaha voter.
Education, Women's Rights, and Medical Marijuana: South Omaha voters hit the polls for election day
From John Brown:
I talked to numerous voters in south Omaha about what they came out to vote, what their concerned about, and more. Read the article here.
Last minute canvassing efforts
From John Brown:
Throughout Election Day, I talked to both Republicans and Democrats about their last minute efforts to volunteer and campaign for their party. I met with a Harris-Walz volunteer who was canvassing in south Omaha. He said he's being volunteering for months and does it because simply wants people to go out and vote.
I also talked with volunteers from Don Bacon's campaign who held up signs at 120th and W. Center Road. They share the same message; trying to get people to go out and vote before the polls close at 8 p.m.
Deb Fischer defeats challenge from Independent Dan Osborn
From Alex Whitney:
Deb Fischer was pushed harder in a race than ever before in her senate career before defeating Independent challenger Dan Osborn.
Late in the race some polls showed Osborn and Fischer nearly tied, but Fischer pulled ahead late and rode that momentum through election night.
Osborn thanks volunteers and family in concession speech
From Molly Hudson:
Dan Osborn spoke to a room of emotional supporters and volunteers, thanking them for their help. He acknowledged defeat just before midnight. He noted his pride in challenging the status quo in Nebraska.
Douglas County Democrats watch results with mixed emotions
From Melissa Wright:
Democrats were excited early in the night and celebrated strong results for Harris in Nebraska's second congressional district but that feeling faded as national results came in.
Strangers became friends as they bonded over the stress of watching another election.
"These women that I am sitting with, I don't know them but we met and we have bond already, and that is something I will always remember for the rest of my life," one woman told me.
Douglas County Election Commission reports few issues
From Katrina Markel:
With more than 123,000 ballots cast in Douglas County turnout was high. Most ballots were counted on election night but for those who dropped off mail-in ballots at the last minute or for people who had to cast a provisional ballot those will be counted later.
"Early voting ballots that were turned in Monday afternoon and today will be counted on Friday. We only had about 9,000 ballots still outstanding as of about Noon today," Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse said.
Kruse told me there were very few issues reported across the county. Election results will be certified on Nov. 21st.
Vargas sends supporters home with race too close to call
From Jill Lamkins:
I spent the night in Blackstone where Tony Vargas shared his final message with supporters on election night from a ballroom at the Cottonwood Hotel. Just before midnight he spoke from the podium to thank them for their patience but cautioned then that the final result was still unknown.
This is not the first time he and Bacon were in a close race.
"Democracy takes time, right? Democracy takes time and we need to make sure that every single vote is counted between now and when they certify all these votes," Vargas said.
Rickets and Flood secure wins early in the night
From Greta Goede:
Sen. Pete Rickets and Rep. Mike Flood didn't have to wait long into the night to declare victory. Flood said his key to victory was connecting with voters through retail politcs that forged relationships. Ricketts outlined his priorities in Washington.
Bacon reelected on strong night for Republicans
Rep. Don Bacon (R) was the fourth Republican reelected in Nebraska, mirroring a strong night for the party across the country. The race was not projected until early Wednesday. Bacon besting Tony Vargas (D) by 8,318 votes.
Bacon plans to hold a press conference with other local Republicans, including Governor Jim Pillen and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday.
