To understand the somewhat divisive and misunderstood concept of gerrymandering that has real consequences in parts of the United States, it helps to begin with the concept from the decisively midwestern view of Nebraska election officials.

Gerrymandering in the electoral college is represented where the winner takes all the casted votes in 48 states.  Nebraska and Maine separate votes.  Three congressional districts cast their one vote with two remaining votes made by the state.  Nebraska’s current Secretary of State indicated that this policy dilutes Nebraska’s national influence and represents poor policy.

This year, a bill went before the legislature to change the vote apportioning process.  While 25 votes were secured in favor of the change, out of 49 senators, 33 votes were not available to overcome a filibuster which effectively killed the bill.  One vote shy of ending the filibuster meant defeat of a process for Nebraska to award votes in a winner take all process.  A filibuster is an opportunity for a bill’s opponents to take the floor for an indefinite amount of time until the Speaker calls for discussion of a new bill, preventing a vote.

More specifically, gerrymandering is the designing of political lines to protect incumbents.  If you look in the congressional districts, the lines may make no sense until you understand that the dividing markers protect Republican and Democratic districts, as one viewpoint.

Bob Evnen is Nebraska’s Secretary of State, an elected role served in four year terms. He took office in 2019.  Brian Kruse is the Douglas County Election Commissioner.  Both public servants are mandated to ensure that elections run smoothly and fairly.

By statute, the Secretary of State is Nebraska’s Chief Election Office.  Evnen has many responsibilities assigned by legislation including promoting international trade, commerce, education and culture. He is chair of the Nebraska Real Estate Commission, sits on licensing boards and manages business services.

Evnen has been involved in Republican politics for many years including successfully running for the State Board of Education and serving in a legal career.  When his predecessor decided not to run for another four year term, he was elected as Secretary of State in 2018 and again in 2022.

His office is charged with  interpretation of the Election Act, a long and complicated series of state statutes which  govern elections.  40 staff  members work in his Lincoln, Nebraska office.

Evnen explained that elections are held on a county by county basis.  The county election officers run the elections.  For Douglas County, Brian Kruse holds that position.

The Greatest Job

Brian Kruse describes his job as overseeing all aspects of elections in Douglas County. While people naturally think of election day within his office’s responsibilities, securing volunteers, voter registration, early voting efforts and managing policies span the scope of this appointed position. When school bond issues, road improvements, sanitary improvement districts or levies need voter input, his office manages these special elections. 14 full time professionals staff the workload, with an additional 75 part and full time positions that are filled during election season.

Kruse has been in his role since January 1, 2016 and was reappointed in 2024 by Governor Jim Pillen. His political interests led him to volunteering with political campaigns including Mayor Jean Stothert’s successful run and Senator Deb Fischer’s first bid.

He said, “This is the greatest job I have had.  It is an honor and privilege to serve the voters of Douglas County, beyond my wildest expectations.  It is fun to have a front seat in history and democracy.”

Ensuring elections are run fairly and impartially, Kruse explained that his office runs non-partisan in decision making.  Voter registration and assisting citizens with concerns during office visits is part of his team’s responsibility.  Candidates also visit his office to file for an elected role.  His office requires 2,000 election workers in May and 3,000 in November, drafting voters to work in various capacities including serving at voting locations.

With this understanding in mind of Kruse’s role, it’s clearer to see that the stakes are high when gerrymandering is applied.  He said, “manipulating district lines keeps a certain group out or in boundaries.”  He adds that a contiguous line or shape is not created when this process takes place.

Every ten years, the census is taken and used to reapportion district lines. The last census was conducted on a federal level in 2020.  The goal is to have similar numbers of registered voters in each district.

In Nebraska, 49 legislative districts which elect one senator are affirmed.  Additional elections for the Board of Regents for the Nebraska university system, the State Board of Education and the Natural Resources Districts depend on the districts as drawn for purposes of representation and funding.

Douglas County is part of Congressional District Two with representation that must be fairly created in order to ensure federal and state funding meets the need and the voice of the county is heard.

The National Gerrymandering Project

According to the National Gerrymandering Project website: https://gerrymander.princeton.edu/reforms/NE state statutes govern the process of redistricting.  Information is gathered by the National Gerrymandering Project. Their website outlines the criteria which must used as follows:

In addition to the federal requirements of one person, one vote and the Voting Rights Act, Nebraska’s state constitution (Art. III § 5) requires that state legislative and congressional districts be compact, contiguous, and avoid county splits. In the last redistricting cycle, the Redistricting Committee adopted a legislative resolution with additional guidelines to preserve the cores of prior districts, prohibit the use of partisan data, and forbid the intentional favoring or disfavoring of a party, group, or person.

Gerrymandering as a concept impacts the political clout and funding patterns of all 50 states. Nebraska is a unique entity with the unicameral as a governing system and is impacted by the process of drawing political districts. Election officials like Brian Kruse and Bob Evnen are in place to ensure fair and impartial elections and district funding.