The Superior Express -

By State Sen. Dave Murman

One of the many changes that have happened as a result of COVID-19 is that more people have expressed an interest in early voting, particularly voting by mail. Recently, Gov. Pete Ricketts signed an executive order waiving the requirement of in-person voting at election offices. Voting can now be done on election day at the polls, by mail, or early voting in person by appointment at an on-site early voting county location, during the early voting period.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen recently shared that "Although many of our county buildings are closed to the public, those voters who have disabilities are able to access early voting in person by appointment." Evnen added, "They can also choose to vote from home, or vote at the polls."

If you want to vote by mail, you need to send an application to your county election commissioner by May 1st. You should have received an application to vote by mail from the secretary of state. You can also scan and email the application if you wish. If you did not receive an application, you can get one online at the secretary of state's website at: https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections/early-voting. The application was also published in this newspaper.

There are still plans to have in person voting on election day, but with the COVID-19 situation, I know many people will want to take advantage of the early voting by mail option.

After you have filled out your ballot, you can either mail it back to the county election commissioner or drop it off at a drop box. Nuckolls County has located the box in the parking lot west of the courthouse and it is emptied daily.

Last week, President Trump announced his guidelines for opening America again. The guidelines progress through three phases and come with the recommendation that states and local governments confirm a two-week decline in documented COVID-19 cases before beginning to ease lockdowns. The plan also calls for robust testing and contact tracing. State and local officials will be responsible to enact the guidelines when they see fit. Gov. Ricketts shared in a press conference last week that he still needs Nebraskans to practice the social distancing guidelines put in place until the end of April.

The President and Gov. Ricketts have done a good job dealing with the coronavirus pandemic with the information they had at the time so far. I do believe it is time with proper precautions to get most of our economy going again. I urge the governor to enact the following guidelines from the president at the earliest opportunity.

Phase One would allow restaurants, churches or places of worship, gyms, and movie theatres to reopen. A date has been announced when elective surgeries can resume. Schools shall remain closed, and senior living facilities and hospitals should continue barring visitors. High-risk or vulnerable populations should continue to stay home.

Phase Two would include schools and youth activities like camps or clubs to resume. Nonessential travel can begin again during this phase, and people can begin visiting parks and shopping centers again. People should avoid gatherings of more than 50 people unless social distancing can be maintained. Restaurants and movie theaters can operate with some social distancing. Vulnerable populations should continue to stay home, and employers should continue telework if possible. Bars can begin to operate again with restricted occupancy.

The third phase would include vulnerable individuals interacting in the community again but should continue practicing good hygiene and social distancing. Large public venues can operate with some social distancing rules in place. Senior living facilities and hospitals can allow visitors again.

I can't thank our essential workers enough, especially those in our health care system, for putting themselves at risk to protect us in the face of this pandemic. They have gone above and beyond during these unprecedented times. Also, farmers and ranchers are struggling with crashing livestock, ethanol, and commodity markets and continue to suffer from exorbitant property taxes. I am optimistic that the worst of this pandemic is behind us.