The Nebraska Democratic Party is calling for an all-mail primary, as state officials continue to plan to open polling places on May 12.

“This is a public health crisis. Lives are at stake,” NDP Chair Jane Kleeb said in a statement.

If in-person voting isn’t suspended, the party is asking for postage for vote-by-mail applications and ballots to be paid by the state government; allow for curbside and drive-through voting; and extend the window for mail-in ballot requests to May 5, instead of May 1.

“Voters should be able to stay home, as they have been asked to do and vote as they have a right to do,” said Preston Love Jr., the party’s second associate chair.

– Scott Stewart