KEEP KIDS FIRST CALLS ON SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS TO STOP PETITION DRIVE ON TAX CREDIT, SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS SAY THEY'RE ON TRACK IN 90K SIGNATURE GOAL

OMAHA- Surrounded by students from a Catholic school in North Omaha, advocates of Nebraska's new scholarship tax credit law called on the state's teachers union to stop their petition to place the issue on the ballot, adding that the value of the tax credits for Nebraska's students far outweighs the costs. Standing in front of Holy Name Catholic School, Tanya Santos, the school's former principal, and Jayleesha Cooper, a former Holy Name student who had received a scholarship to attend the school, lauded the new law.

"I actually attended this amazing school behind me, only thanks to private donor scholarships," said Cooper, "Without scholarships, that would have been a reality for me, and it would not have been a reality for many of the students standing next to me today." At the event, Santos acknowledged that many private schools already offer students need-based scholarships funded by private donors, but argued that many children end up on waiting lists because of a lack of funding.

Standing behind the speakers was Sen. Justin Wayne of North Omaha, who, alongside Sen. Terrell McKinney, supported the Opportunity Scholarships Act, saying that they want families, especially those living in North Omaha, to have more choices on where they send their children to school. Opponents of the new law, including the Omaha Chapter of the NAACP, led by Rev. Michael Williams, argue that the Opportunity Scholarships Act will divert funding from public schools. Brad Christian-Sallis, of the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table and a former Holy Name Student, also argued that funding should remain in the public treasury, and should be spent on public schools if the need arises.

On Thursday, petition circulators attempting to place the scholarship tax credit on the ballot confirmed that they are on pace to collect their goal of 90,000 valid signatures. While Karen Kilgarin, a spokeswoman for Support Our School, declined to state how many signatures had been collected thus far, but said that they plan on collecting the final round of signatures on August 28th before turning them in on August 30th, the deadline set by the Nebraska Secretary of State's Office.

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NEBRASKA MEDICINE AND HELIX PARTNER TO PROVIDE PRECISION CARE IN NEBRASKA TO HELP FIND HEALTH ISSUES INDIVIDUALLY AND STATEWIDE

OMAHA- Nebraska Medicine has announced a new partnership with Helix, the leading population genomics and viral surveillance company in the nation. The two entities announced a partnership to launch a population genomics program to drive precision medicine for all individuals in Nebraska called the Genetic Insights Project.

The research program will identify participants' risk for a variety of cancers and other potentially life-threatening diseases with a single test, with the goal of not only helping to improve the lives of individual patients but also identifying trends for everyone across the region. "This new genomics program will help patients and their providers understand if they're genetically predisposed to having an increased risk of one of several significant diseases," says Allison Cushman-Vokoun, MD, PhD, medical director of Nebraska Medicine's Molecular Diagnostics and Human Genetics Laboratories.

The Genetic Insights Project will provide important information about serious health conditions by testing for mutations in genes connected to a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer, Lynch syndrome (which is related to colorectal cancer), and high cholesterol. The research program may also expand its panel of genetic markers in the future, potentially providing information about other conditions.

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NEBRASKA GAMING TAXES ON THE RISE IN JULY FOR SECOND STRAIGHT MONTH

LINCOLN- Receipts from gaming taxes rose for the second straight month in Nebraska in July, according to the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. The amount of taxes collected at WarHorse Lincoln rose to $841,714.98 — an increase of nearly $88,000 compared with June. Grand Island Casino Resort collected $440,895.60 in taxes in July, up from about $414,000 in June.

Meanwhile, the Harrah’s Casino in Columbus, which opened its doors in June, ponied up $262,354.62 in taxes in July — an increase of more than $83,000 from its first month. Together, the three casinos combined to produce nearly $1.545 million in gaming taxes for July, making it the second-best month ever after March.

WarHorse Lincoln saw more than $4.1 million in gross revenue for slots and electronic games played in July, while adding another $82,113.16 in revenue at its sportsbook. Lincoln and Lancaster County each received roughly $105,000 in taxes generated through casino gaming in July. That brings the year-to-date total to $738,595.

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EIGHT NEBRASKA COMMUNITIES TO SHARE ABOUT $7 MILLION FOR FLOOD RECOVERY PROJECTS

LINCOLN- Eight Nebraska communities will share about $7 million in grants to assist with long-term disaster recovery projects. The awards, announced by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, come from the federal Community Development Block Grant program. They provide a local 25% match, or gap funding, required for federal funding allocated earlier to Nebraska in the wake of devastating floods in 2019.

According to the DED, the funds will help projects focused on floodwater mitigation, residential elevation and residential and commercial property acquisitions. Fairbury is among the places set to get an award. “The City of Fairbury is excited to utilize this funding to assist homeowners with mitigation of flood-prone properties and to financially help them to build resilient futures,” said Laura Bedlan, director of development services.

DED anticipates awarding another $7 million for more flood disaster projects soon. That batch of awards is to be used on infrastructure repairs to roads, bridges, culverts and public parks and facilities.The eight communities set to share the initial nearly $7 million in grants: Omaha, Winslow, Platte County, North Bend Drainage District, Dodge County, Wood River, Peru, and Fairbury.

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FOUR OF SIX PEOPLE CITED DURING NEBRASKA CAPITOL PROTESTS FACE CHARGES, TWO TO FACE DIVERSION

LINCOLN- Four of six people who were jailed during protests at the Nebraska Capitol on May 19 over a bill combining a stricter abortion ban with new restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors face criminal charges in Lancaster County. Benjamin Buras, 40, and Sara B. Crawford, 34, both of Lincoln, are scheduled to be in court Thursday. Mar Lee, 25, of Lincoln, and Danna Seevers, 56, of Seward, were accepted into pretrial diversion programs.

The commotion after the vote, which also included chanting and shouting, prompted Speaker John Arch to clear out the Legislature’s balconies. Prosecutors filed no charges against Lucia Salinas, 24, of Omaha and Maghie Miller-Jenkins, 36, of Lincoln, threw tampons and feminine pads from over a balcony railing onto the legislative floor, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

The Patrol had cited Salinas and Miller-Jenkins for disturbing the peace and obstructing a government operation. Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon offered no immediate explanation of his decision. No charges were filed against a legislative staffer who several witnesses had said shoved someone with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska during the protests.

On Thursday, Crawford received permission from Lancaster County Judge Matt Acton to enter a pretrial diversion program. She was charged with obstructing a peace officer after she tried to push past a Nebraska State Patrolman. Buras' lawyer requested that he be allowed to enter a pretrial diversion program as well, but the request is still pending as of Friday. Buras was charged with with resisting arrest. 

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKER AMONG THOSE BACKING COMMON SENSE PROPOSAL TO ADDRESS STUDENT LOAN DEBT

LINCOLN- A possible solution to the ongoing challenge of student loan debt has surfaced. Rep. Don Bacon of Omaha is among the members in the U.S. House of Representatives who have signed on to HR4144. The Federal Assistance to Initiate Repayment (FAIR) Act is designed to make paying back- not completely forgiving- student loan debt easier.

The FAIR Act varies greatly from President Bidens unsuccessful attempt to forgive massive amounts of student loan debt. Rep. Bacon said he believes in the FAIR Act since it would simplify the repayment process, end ballooning loan balances, provide repayment assistance and provide targeted student loan relief. The bill uses an income-based repayment system that would require borrowers to pay back 10 years' worth of interest before interest is capped.

The plan includes payment schedules and interest forgiven to those below the federal poverty level. "This fiscally responsible alternative to President Biden's plan will be a critical step toward fixing our student loan system and will provide a path for 40 million borrowers to pay back their loans," said Bacon.

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RURAL WATER SYSTEM IN NORTHEAST NEBRASKA LOOKS FOR ALTERNATIVES AMID CONTAMINANT CONCERNS

KNOX COUNTY- For more than four decades, the Cedar-Knox Rural Water Project has drawn water from Lewis and Clark Lake and pumped it into communities and homes across northeast Nebraska, some nearly 40 miles away. But a constant influx of fine sand and other sediment and the organic material that comes with it has created challenges for the regional water system.

Better known as THMs, trihalomethanes have been linked to bladder and colon cancers, and are suspected of causing a range of other health issues affecting the liver, kidney and central nervous system. The Cedar-Knox Rural Water Project has until recently been able to keep its THMs level underneath the threshold deemed safe by the EPA, but it's becoming increasingly difficult.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy put the water system under an administrative order for the first time in 2017 after the concentrations rose above the threshold deemed safe. $7 million was approved by state lawmakers to help address the problem but fell victim to a veto from Gov. Pillen. The system is now receiving a boost in attention due to funding secured by Sen. Deb Fischer in Washington.

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JUDGE DISMISSES LB574 LAWSUIT, SAYS ABORTION AND GENDER CARE ARE HEALTH CARE

LINCOLN- A lawsuit trying to stop the new Nebraska law mixing a stricter abortion ban at 12 weeks of gestation with restrictions on gender-affirming care for trans minors was dismissed on Friday by a Lancaster County District Court judge. Judge Lori Maret sided with AG Mike Hilgers and the state, which argued LB574 did not violate the Nebraska Constitution’s requirement that bills cover only a single subject because both proposals covered health care.

“The rule … for legislative bills is that they must have ‘one general object, no matter how broad,’ and they must not include any matter that is not relevant to that general object,” Maret wrote. “Applying that standard here, the Court concludes that LB574 has the general object of health care and that all parts of the bill relate to health care.” The lawsuit Maret rejected had argued LB574 was unconstitutional because lawmakers combined two unrelated bills that spent most of the legislative session on separate tracks.

In a statement Friday, Hilgers thanked the court for “thoughtful analysis and recognition of the Legislature’s prerogatives and processes.” Gov. Jim Pillen said he was pleased with the ruling and that LB574 “protects kids and defends the unborn.” Maret’s decision left local advocates supporting abortion rights and trans rights pledging to appeal the decision to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

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GOVERNOR NIXES PROPOSAL TO RELAX POLICE TRAINEE STANDARDS FOR MARIJUANA, DRUG USE

LINCOLN- Governor Jim Pillen has rejected a proposed relaxation in drug-use standards to qualify for training as a Nebraska law enforcement officer, saying it could be viewed as a “watering down” of the standards. A panel of state law enforcement officials had recommended the change as part of a broader effort to qualify more applicants for the necessary state training to work in law enforcement.

Currently, a recruit cannot have used marijuana for 24 months or used a narcotic or other “dangerous drug” for five years. prior to being admitted to the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island. The Police Standards Advisory Council had proposed to lower the standards to 12 months for marijuana and three years for narcotics.

Pillen, in a July 18 letter rejecting the proposed rule change, said he didn’t think it was “prudent” to adopt such a change without data that shows “a significant number” of applicants are being rejected due to the current drug-use standards. “It is therefore imperative that we have the necessary data before making a policy change that could be perceived as watering down the standards to become a law enforcement officer in the State of Nebraska,” Pillen wrote.

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FORMER STATE SEN. GEIST TAKES JOB WITH NEBRASKA ATTORNEY GENERAL

LINCOLN- Former Sen. Suzanne Geist, who most recently dropped out of the Legislature to challenge Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, will now join Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilger's office as a chief advisor. Although Geist is not an attorney herself, she had worked previously with Hilgers while serving in the Legislature.

According to a press release, Geist will advise Hilgers on policy, as well as oversee various priorities the office holds. Hilgers described Geist as "a trusted colleague and friend," and lauded her for her previous work in criminal justice, sentencing, and relationship with law enforcement personnel.

In the same press release, Hilgers also named Joshua Shasserre as the AG's new deputy attorney general for public affairs. Shasserre, who was worked in the Attorney General's office since 2015, will act as the primary liaison between the Nebraska Legislature and other state, federal and local governments.

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NEBRASKA JOINS NINE OTHER STATES IN EFFORT TO EASE TEACHER SHORTAGE

LINCOLN- As the U.S. battles a nationwide teacher shortage, Nebraska has decided, following this past legislative session, to join the first interstate teaching compact. The compact is aimed at helping educators avoid the sometimes pricey process of becoming relicensed when they move to another state to teach.

The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, as it's formally titled, will also streamline the process for both teachers and state licensing bureaus, allowing teachers to more easily and efficiently teach across state lines. Adam Diersing, a representative with the Council of State Governments, believes the compact will entice more people to continue teaching.

"Even for teachers with lots of experience and long-held licenses in other states, there can be significant cost barriers to re-certify in another state," Diersing said. Allowing Nebraska to join the compact was a bill introduced this past legislative session by Sen. Carol Blood, which went on to pass in June. "It allows people to hit the ground running," she said, "We have a very transit society now." The implementation and integration of the program in Nebraska is expected to be completed by the summer of 2024.

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ABORTION RIGHTS ADVOCATES LAY GROUNDWORK FOR BALLOT INITIATIVE IN 2024

LINCOLN- On Thursday, a newly-created group called 'Protect Our Rights' filed organizational papers with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Committee suggesting that they may attempt to amend the State's Constitution next year to protect the right to abortion with a ballot initiative. A spokeswoman for the group, following the retention of Nebraska's new 12-week abortion ban last week, said they are pursuing "every option that is open to us" to restore reproductive rights in the state.

"Protect Our Rights is a grassroots coalition who believe that all Nebraskans have the right to the freedom to make their own decisions about pregnancy and abortion, without government interference," said Andi Curry Grubb, the executive director for Planned Parenthood North Central States. Curry Grubb also confirmed that the new group, as well as those already operating in Nebraska, will not abandon the effort to overturn the recent ruling on Nebraska's stricter abortion ban passed earlier this year.

As of right now, the group is still formulating the precise language for the petition, which will need to be filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State's Office. To place the proposed constitutional amendment on the 2024 general election ballot, valid signatures from 10% of Nebraska's registered voters will need to be collected, which would be around 123,000 valid signatures. In addition to that, signatures from 5% of the registered voters in 38 of Nebraska's 93 counties will need to be collected.

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PILLEN ANNOUNCES PLANS TO BUILD NEW NEBRASKA PRISON IN NORTHEAST LINCOLN

LINCOLN- During a late-afternoon press conference on Thursday, Gov. Jim Pillen, alongside Nebraska Director of Corrections Rob Jeffreys, announced that the state would begin construction on a new 1,500-bed prison to replace the aging State Penitentiary starting next fall. The new prison, which is still yet to be designed, will be located near 112th and Adam Streets.

The new prison is expected to employ around 1,000 people, double the number currently employed at the State Penitentiary, and will act as a multi-custody facility, housing low, mid, and max security inmates. The land on which the prison is set to be built, according to Gov. Pillen, cost the state $17 million, and is made up of around 305 acres.

This is in addition to the $335 million already allocated to build the prison itself. Pillen and Jeffreys described the new prison as "state of the art," and told those in attendance that it will increase safety compared to the State Penitentiary, "enhancing the environment of both the staff and the incarcerated population."

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DESPITE CHALLENGES, CREDIT RATING AGENCY SAYS NU'S FINANCIAL POSITION REMAINS SOUND

LINCOLN- Over the past year, the University of Nebraska's plan to tackle a $58 million budget shortfall helped the school system keep its second-highest grade from S&P Global, allowing the University system to continue borrowing funding at a much lower interest rate. In a July 13th letter, S&P confirmed that NU had retained its AA bond rating, putting the state's only public university system in the top 8% of all public institutions in the United States.

The letter released by S&P cited and lauded the five-point plan enacted by the University system, which included boosting recruitment, strengthening the system's academic profile, improving research expenditures, improving transparency, and locating operational efficiencies. NU President Ted Carter revealed the plan this year to the NU Board of Regents. The plan includes a minimal 3.5% tuition hike for students, as well as the points listed above.

In the letter, S&P Global celebrated the plan, saying, "In our view, this is an example of the university managing in a proactive manner to sustain its long-term financial strength." The review conducted by S&P found that NU's current finances, despite budget shortfall worries, were "very strong." However, S&P confirmed that NU's stable credit rating could be downgraded "if the system issues a material amount of additional debt."

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NEBRASKA'S UNEMPLOMENT RATE TICKS UP TO 2%

LINCOLN- Following a multi-month stretch of historically low unemployment levels, the Nebraska Department of Labor reported that the state's unemployment had ticked up slightly to 2% statewide. That's up slightly from June's 1.9% rate, but lower than the rate in July of 2022, which was sitting at 2.4%.

Despite this increase, Nebraska's rate tied for fifth-lowest among all states. The unemployment rate in the Lincoln Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Lancaster and Seward Counties, rose to 2.1% as well. Nonfarm jobs in this region of Nebraska totaled out to 191,346 in July, which is down slightly compared with June, but up significantly compared with June and July of 2022.

Statewide nonfarm jobs in July totaled out to 1,041,153, which is down 1,144 from June, a slight decrease that led to Nebraska's unemployment rate ticking up. However, this number, despite decreasing slightly month-to-month, is up nearly 6,598 jobs compared to July of last year.

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GOVERNOR PILLEN APPOINTS NEW CEO OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

LINCOLN- Governor Jim Pillen appointed a new Chief Executive Officer of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Tuesday afternoon. Starting Sept. 11, Dr. Steve Corsi will serve as the new CEO with a salary of $257,000. Former DHHS CEO Dannette Smith had a salary of $220,000 when she stepped into the role in 2019. “The opportunity to bring my experience in executive leadership to serve all Nebraskans is an honor,” said Steven Corsi.

Most recently, Corsi served as acting CEO of the Central Wyoming Counseling Center. He has been director and/or CEO of the Missouri Department of Social Services, Wyoming Department of Family Services, High Country Behavioral Health (Wyoming) and the Cornerstone Behavioral Health Group in California. In 2019, Corsi became president/CEO of Volunteers of America Western Washington, where he significantly recruited and retained the workforce, expanded early childhood offerings and grew the organization’s revenue.

“Steve brings a wealth of experience and leadership to DHHS, having served as director and CEO over a number of social service organizations, including state agencies in Missouri and Wyoming,” Pillen said. “In addition to his operational expertise, Steve has a strong servant focus when it comes to providing program services to those who need them. I look forward to working with Steve as he brings new direction and impact to DHHS.”

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OMAHA RESEARCHING 'COMMON SENSE' GUN LEGISLATION IN RESPONSE TO NEW NEBRASKA LAW

OMAHA- On September 3rd, Nebraska's new gun law, which allows for the permitless concealed carry of firearms, goes into effect. Its impact on metropolitan areas will force Omaha to repeal around two dozen sections of its city code, eliminating tools to fight crime like the local gun registration ordinance, according to City Council President Pete Festersen.

For this reason, Festersen is planning on asking city attorneys to look into legislation to increase public safety. "We're looking for alternatives to better address that situation and reduce crime in the city and increase public safety," said Festersen, "That's our goal." On top of that, Festersen also requested that the city's law department begin research on topics like the regulation of ghost guns, banning bump stocks, and protecting public places like schools, event centers, and public buildings.

Gov. Pillen signed the bill into law despite warnings from Omaha's police chief earlier this year. Chief Todd Schmaderer testified at the bill's hearing that OPD had seized the most firearms in its long history last year, and that he doesn't want to see a reversal in crime trends as a result of this new law. "When you look at Omaha," said Schmaderer, "we have a few ordinances that help us address violent crime in our city, and help us address gun violence." The Omaha City Council is set to hold a public hearing on the city code removal on August 29th.

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NEBRASKA DIPLOMATS GROUP RECOGNIZES BOOSTERS OF ECONOMIC VITALITY

KEARNEY- At its annual awards show this week in Kearney, the Nebraska Diplomats had the chance to shout out the businesses, organizations, and communities that they see as excellent contributors to Nebraska's economic well-being. These included a popcorn plant, a window business, and the newly renovated Canteen District.

Presenters at the event, held on Tuesday, included Gov. Jim Pillen, Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton, and Nebraska Diplomats President Desiree Wineland. The Diplomats, a nonprofit made up of around 300 business and community leaders, partners with a number of economic development organizations each year in an attempt to promote the state's business climate and quality of life.

Two businesses, Gerkin Windows and Door of South Sioux City and Preferred Popcorn of Chapman, were awarded Business of the Year. The City of North Platte, which recently initiated around $2 billion in new construction projects, received the Community of the Year Award. Finally, among several other awards, Sentient Fertigation of Lincoln, which uses satellite imagery to asses corn crops, received the Governer's Excellence in Agriculture Entrepreneurship Award.

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GOV. PILLEN SAYS 'WE NEED A SERIOUS CONVERSATION' ABOUT CELL PHONE USE AND DISTRACTED DRIVING

LINCOLN- During a recent trip with Nebraska State Troopers, Gov. Jim Pillen said he watched as a vehicle ahead of his swerved in and out of its lane, before veering into a ditch and then back onto the roadway. Following this, after being asked about legislation that would place tougher bans on cell phone use while driving, Pillen said it's something the state needs to look at.

"I think we do have a problem," Pillen responded, "I think we have to have some serious conversations." According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 28 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, currently prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones will driving. Forty-eight states have banned text messaging while driving. Nebraska law currently prohibits the use of reading, writing, or texting on a cell phone while driving, but only considers texting while driving a secondary offense.

For this reason, a driver would have to be stopped for an entirely different offense to receive a ticket for texting while driving. In the past, tougher restrictions on texting while driving have been introduced in the Nebraska Legislature, but have failed. According to data from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, there were 19 fatalities, 1,495 injuries, and 3,060 instances of property damage from crashes related to distracted driving in 2019.

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EVNEN LAUNCHES INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON NEW 'VOTER ID' LAW

LINCOLN- Secretary of State Bob Evnen expects to talk a lot this next year about what’s in the state’s new “voter ID” election law. A series of press visits will discuss how voters can cast ballots and satisfy the 2023 law they mandated by signing initiative petitions and adopting a state voter ID constitutional amendment last year.

His office “will be putting this word out repeatedly” through press outlets and social media before the May 14, 2024, primary — the first election that will require voter ID — and the Nov. 5, 2024, general election. The good news, Evnen said, is that “97% to 98%” of Nebraskans already have the two main types of photo ID: a state-issued driver’s license or ID card.

Evnen said, satisfying voter ID will be simple: Show your driver’s license or state ID at your polling place or election office on Election Day, get your ballot and vote. “I don’t think it’s going to be a large problem, because people have to show their IDs for everything,” he said. “This is nothing they should find out of the usual or extraordinary.”

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