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New Douglas County election commissioner outlines early‑voting expansions and key May primary dates
Summary
Newly appointed Douglas County Election Commissioner Danielle Jensen introduced herself to the board, outlined plans to increase in‑person early‑voting stations and ADA access, and listed key May primary milestones including Feb. 4 postcard mailings and Apr. 13 in‑person early voting start.
Danielle Jensen, who began her term as Douglas County Election Commissioner on Jan. 10, told the Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 she intends to maintain transparency in election administration and expand access for voters ahead of the May 12 primary.
Jensen introduced her senior team — Chief Deputy Chris Carruthers and election managers Justin Kessler and Brandon Olson — and described hands‑on work she has done with staff, including reviewing signature adjudication during a recent local contest. “The role of the election commissioner is to instill public trust ensuring that elections are administered in a secure and accurate manner,” Jensen said. “I pledge to continue the transparency that former commissioner Cruz displayed.”
Jensen outlined operational changes and timelines: the county will mail green early‑voting request postcards on Feb. 4; incumbents must file by Feb. 17 and non‑incumbents by Mar. 2; ballots may begin to be mailed on Apr. 6; and in‑person early voting begins Apr. 13. She said the county will increase in‑person early‑voting stations from about nine to roughly 14 and add a separate ADA entrance and two ADA counters to improve access.
Board members welcomed Jensen, requested copies of legislation and any associated fiscal notes she will track, and thanked her staff for their experience. Mary Lee Moulton of the League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha publicly welcomed Jensen and said the organization was “very heartened by her pledge to continue the transparency for which this office is known.”
What’s next: Jensen said she will follow up with commissioners about pending legislation and fiscal notes and meet individually with members to discuss concerns and priorities ahead of the May primary.
