Restoring Trust: Why Nebraska Must Lead on Election Integrity

By Jon Capps, Candidate for Nebraska Legislature – District 38

If there’s one thing we all should agree on — no matter our politics — it’s that every legal vote should count, and every Nebraskan should have confidence in our elections. Unfortunately, that trust has been shaken.

I’ve heard it at kitchen tables in Clay County, in coffee shops in Phelps County, and at grain elevators in Red Willow County — people don’t feel certain that our elections are as secure and transparent as they should be. That’s a problem we can’t afford to ignore.

Here’s my position: We can’t just assume election integrity. We have to prove it.

As a U.S. Army veteran and a 30-year IT systems analyst, I know how to identify vulnerabilities and protect critical systems. Nebraska’s elections should meet the highest standards of security and transparency — and right now, they don’t.

If you send me to the Legislature, I’ll work to:

1. Require Stricter Voter ID and Proof of Citizenship Every voter should show a valid state-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship before casting a ballot. This protects the rights of legal voters and discourages fraud.
   

2. End “Black Box” Counting Nebraska should use secure, transparent counting methods — including precinct-level hand counts — so every ballot can be verified by the people, not just machines.
   

3. Limit Mail-in Voting to Military and Legitimate Shut-Ins We must protect absentee voting for those who truly need it while ending mass mail-outs that open the door to ballot harvesting and abuse.
   

4. Demand Full Transparency from Election Officials Nebraskans have the right to review election data, processes, and security audits. No stone should be left unturned when it comes to our vote.

This isn’t about rehashing past elections. It’s about protecting future ones. The right to vote — and to have that vote counted fairly — is the foundation of our republic. Without it, we lose more than an election. We lose trust in our government.

Nebraska can and should lead the way in restoring that trust. If you believe in secure, transparent, and accountable elections, I’m your candidate in District 38.