The Nebraska Manufacturing Industry Database has some news that includes mention of industry and businesses in District 17. Residents, farmers, and ranchers in all of rural Nebraska realize that food products are a large and important part of our state’s employment and economy. Did you know that good and kindred products lead Nebraska industries in employment numbers, employing 32% of all workers in the state? The largest manufacturing employer in the State, as reported by the database, is our own Tyson Fresh Meats in Dakota City, which employs approximately 4,000 people. This places Dakota City in the number five spot for cities with the most manufacturing jobs.

ELECTION 2020. My office has been receiving calls and emails from District 17 residents with questions about voting in the November 3 election. We reached out to get the information requested and put it all in one place for residents’ convenience.

Dakota County:
In-person:
• Early voting is taking place up until November 2, at the County Clerk/Election Office, 1601 Broadway, Dakota City.
• Election Day, November 3, 2020. In person voting will be available in the 13 precincts located throughout the county. Vote-by-mail ballots cannot be received at these locations.
Vote-by-mail: Registered voters were sent cards by the Secretary of State inviting them to request a vote-by-mail ballot if desired. An estimated 2,121 ballots have been requested and sent out to date.
• It is important to note that if a voter has received a vote-by-mail ballot, it cannot be turned in at a voter precinct! Also, ballots must be received in the Election Commissioner’s Office no later than 8:00 pm on Election Day November 3.
• October 23 is the last date these can be requested and sent out to voters.
• Three Options for returning vote-by-mail ballots. After signing the outside of the envelope, voters can:
1. Returned by mail. It is recommended that this be done as early as possible to allow timely delivery. If sent by mail, ballots must be received at the Election Commission’s USPS box at PO Box 39, Dakota City, 68731 by November 3.
2. Deposit in Drop Box in front of the Courthouse at 1601 Broadway. The locked Drop Box provided by the Secretary of State is monitored by camera and is checked twice a day. The last check to gather ballots from the Drop Box will be at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day November 3.
3. Drop off in person at the County Clerk/Election Office in the Courthouse at 1601 Broadway by 8:00 p.m. Election Day. .

Thurston County:
In Person:
• Early voting is available for voters until November 2, 2020 in the Clerk’s Office at the Thurston County Courthouse, 106 S. 5th St., Pender,
• Election Day, November 3, in person voting will be available at usual precincts.

Vote-by-mail: Postcards were sent to all registered voters by the Secretary of State offering an opportunity for residents to request a vote-by-mail ballot. As of Friday, October 16, 2020, the Commissioner reported there had been approximately 700 vote-by-mail requests received and ballots sent as a result.
• It is important to note that if a voter has received a vote-by-mail ballot, it cannot be turned in at a voter precinct! Also, ballots must be received in the Election Commissioner’s Office no later than 8:00 pm on Election Day November 3.
• October 23 is the last date these can be requested and sent out to voters.
• Three Options for returning vote-by-mail ballots. After signing the outside of the envelope, voters can:
1. Returned by mail. It is recommended that this be done as early as possible to allow timely delivery. If sent by mail, ballots must be received at the Election Commission’s USPS box at PO Box 159, Pender, NE 68047. Last pick up is 4:00 pm. November 3rd.
2. Deposit in Drop Box located on south side of Courthouse at 106 S. 5th St. (alleyway). The locked Drop Box provided by the Secretary of State is monitored by camera and is checked daily. There are cameras on the courthouse. The last check to gather ballots from the Drop Box will be at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day November 3.
3. Drop off in person at the Clerk’s Office in the Courthouse at 106 S. 5th St. by 8:00 p.m. Election Day, November 3.

Wayne County: This is the first year that rural Wayne County voters can vote only by mail unless they voted in person before last Wednesday, October 24. This change was requested by the Wayne County Election Commissioner after letters and cards asking for voter feedback on the issue came back overwhelmingly in favor of the process several years ago. The Secretary of State approved Commissioner Finn’s request and, beginning in 2020, all voters who have not voted at the Election Commission Office in person before October 14, 2020, MUST VOTE BY MAIL. Ballots were mailed out on October 14. Voters in the City of Wayne can vote in person or by mail.

In-Person:
• Early voting for any resident of Wayne County was available until October 14, 2020, when ballots were mailed out. Early voting for registered voters in the City of Wayne can vote in person until November 2 at the County Clerk/Commissioner’s Office at 510 Pearl St.
• Election Day November 3, 2020. Registered voters in the City of Wayne can vote in person at the District 1 Wayne County Shop, 515 Thorman in Wayne.

Vote by Mail: Beginning this year, with the exception of residents of the City of Wayne and early voters, Wayne County residents must vote by mail. Postcards and letters about the vote-by-mail process were sent every voter in rural Wayne County, explaining the process. Ballots were mailed out to all registered voters in the rural county that had not voted before October 14.
• If you did not early vote and you are not a resident of the City of Wayne, YOU MUST VOTE BY MAIL. Your ballot was mailed out on Wednesday, October 14.
If you do not receive your ballot in the mail by this Friday, October 23, you can call the Wayne County Election Commissioner’s office at 402.375.2288 to request a duplicate be sent. Or, you can appear in person to pick up a duplicate at 515 Thorman in Wayne.
• Residents of the City of Wayne can vote by mail if a ballot has been requested and received.
• Three Options to return your vote-by-mail ballot. After signing the outside of the envelope:
1. Return by mail. It is recommended that this be done as early as possible to allow timely delivery. Ballots must be received in the Election Commissioner’s office by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
2. Deposit in Drop Box located on the north side of the Courthouse at 510 Pearl St., Wayne. The locked Drop Box provided by the Nebraska Secretary of State is in view of cameras on the Courthouse. Election officials check the box and obtain deposited ballots nearly hourly. Final check will be at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day November 3.
3. Drop off in person at the Clerk’s Office in the Courthouse at 510 Pearl St. by 8:00 p.m. Election Day, November 3.

DISTRICT 17 COVID by the numbers. October 10 through October 16, 2020:
Dakota: +90 (2457)
Thurston: +15 (350)
Wayne: +61 (314)

Due to the rising number of positive COVID-19 tests in Nebraska, on Friday, October 16, Governor Ricketts announced a new Directed Health Measure (DHM) that goes into effect on October 21 and imposes some restrictions related to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in Nebraska. Protecting the capacity of hospitals and other healthcare facilities to care for COVID-19 and other patients remains the priority. Therefore, under the new DHM, hospitals must maintain a ten percent (10%) cushion for beds in Intensive Care Units (ICU) in order to schedule elective surgeries and procedures. The new DHM also returns to limiting restaurants and bars, currently able to operate at 75% capacity to pull back to 50% rated capacity, and limiting small groups at tables to eight (8) persons or fewer.

As always, it is of great importance that I hear from my constituents to effectively do my job as your voice in the Legislature. I encourage you to contact me and I look forward to hearing from you. You can reach me by phone at 402-471-2716 or by email at jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov