Dawson County, Nebraska
Your guide to voting in Dawson County, Nebraska: registration, sample ballots, ID requirements and where to get local help. Home to about 24,600 people, Dawson County ranks 13th in population among Nebraska's 93 counties. In Nebraska, the county clerk runs elections, except in the largest counties, which have an election commissioner.
Next Election
May 9, 2028
Voter Portal
Register Online
What's On My Ballot?
ID Requirements
Absentee / Early Voting
Registration Deadline
Register online or by mail by the third Friday before an election, or in person by the second Friday before.
Why Voting Matters
In Dawson County, the people who show up to vote decide who represents everyone. The next election for Dawson County voters is Nebraska's statewide primary on May 9, 2028; local elections can come sooner, so check your local election office. Many Dawson County jobs are in manufacturing and health care, so decisions about manufacturing jobs and health care costs hit close to home.
About 8,490 people voted for president in Dawson County in 2024 (down about 8% from 9,190 in 2020). That equals roughly 46% of the county's estimated 18,300 adults, below the statewide rate of about 62%.
Put another way, about 9,830 adults in Dawson County sat that election out. Not all of them can vote, but if even 5% of them did, that would be roughly 492 more ballots, often more than the margin in races for local councils, school boards, the legislature or Congress.
Covering about 1,013 square miles with roughly 24 people per square mile, Dawson County is the kind of rural community where a few dozen votes can settle a local election. The county is home to about 1.2% of Nebraska's population.
ZIP codes in or partly in Dawson County include 68834, 68836, 68850, 68858, 68863, 68878, 68937 and 69028, plus 4 more. Take two minutes to confirm your registration, preview your ballot with the links on this page, and decide when and how you will vote. Bring a neighbor along.
Voter Assistance Resources
Local election help in Dawson County: In Nebraska, the county clerk runs elections, except in the largest counties, which have an election commissioner. For registration, polling places, early voting and absentee ballots, contact the Dawson County clerk or election commissioner.
Statewide directory, Nebraska Secretary of State's election officials contact list:
https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections/election-officials-contact-information
See your sample ballot. Nebraska Voter Information Lookup, which shows your sample ballot:
https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/voterview
You can also preview a personalized ballot at Vote411.org.
Free, nonpartisan help is available before and on every Election Day: call or text the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682). Asian languages: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683).
Voters with disabilities in Dawson County can ask for an accessible voting machine, curbside voting where offered, and help from a person of their choice. If you run into barriers, contact Disability Rights Nebraska, Nebraska's Protection and Advocacy agency, at (800) 422-6691. VoteRiders (844-338-8743) offers free help with voter ID.
Need a ride? Many local transit agencies and ride services offer free or discounted rides to the polls on Election Day, so check what is available before the next election. See our Nebraska voter page for statewide options. Details can change, so confirm with the official election office.
Military and overseas voters can get help from the Federal Voting Assistance Program at 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or fvap.gov.
Sign up to be an election worker
Election workers (often called poll workers) keep voting running smoothly in Dawson County. Most are paid for their time, get free training, and help their neighbors cast their ballots. You can work a full day, a shorter shift, or help before Election Day. County and municipal election offices recruit and train their own workers, and the EAC's Help America Vote page links to yours. Find out how to sign up:
https://www.eac.gov/help-america-vote
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