Nebraska State Board of Regents election, 2024

	2026 → ← 2022
Nebraska State Board of Regents
Election details
	Filing deadline: ; February 15, 2024 (incumbent); March 1, 2024 (non-incumbent)
	Primary: May 14, 2024; General: November 5, 2024; Pre-election incumbent(s):; Jim Scheer (District 3); Elizabeth O'Connor (District 4); Robert Schafer (District 5); Barbara Weitz (District 8)
How to vote
	Poll times: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Central time zone); 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Mountain time zone); Voting in Nebraska
Ballotpedia analysis
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Nebraska; executive elections
	Board of Regents (4 seats); State Board of Education (4 seats); Public Service Commissioner (2 seats)

Nebraska 2024 elections

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Nebraska held an election for four of eight seats on the Nebraska State Board of Regents on November 5, 2024. The primary was May 14, 2024. The filing deadline for an incumbent was February 15, 2024. The filing deadline for non-incumbent candidates was March 1, 2024.

Incumbent Jim Scheer won election in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 3.

Incumbent Elizabeth O'Connor won election in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 4.

Incumbent Robert Schafer won election in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 5.

Incumbent Barbara Weitz won election in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 8.

Candidates and election results

District 3

General election

General election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 3

Incumbent Jim Scheer won election in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 3 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Scheer (Nonpartisan)	100.0	83,560

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 83,560
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 3

Incumbent Jim Scheer advanced from the primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 3 on May 14, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Scheer (Nonpartisan)	100.0	34,840

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 34,840
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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District 4

General election

General election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 4

Incumbent Elizabeth O'Connor defeated Jim Rogers in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 4 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Elizabeth O'Connor (Nonpartisan)	67.2	42,320
	Jim Rogers (Nonpartisan)	32.8	20,692

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 63,012
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 4

Incumbent Elizabeth O'Connor and Jim Rogers advanced from the primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 4 on May 14, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Elizabeth O'Connor (Nonpartisan)	66.7	15,031
✔	Jim Rogers (Nonpartisan)	33.3	7,505

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 22,536
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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District 5

General election

General election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 5

Incumbent Robert Schafer defeated Gary L. Rogge in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 5 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Schafer (Nonpartisan)	63.5	61,916
	Submit photo	Gary L. Rogge (Nonpartisan)	36.5	35,603

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 97,519
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 5

Incumbent Robert Schafer and Gary L. Rogge defeated Jerome Wohleb in the primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 5 on May 14, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Schafer (Nonpartisan)	55.1	22,606
✔	Submit photo	Gary L. Rogge (Nonpartisan)	25.7	10,562
		Jerome Wohleb (Nonpartisan)	19.2	7,873

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 41,041
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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District 8

General election

General election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 8

Incumbent Barbara Weitz defeated Zachary Mellender in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 8 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Barbara Weitz (Nonpartisan)	63.5	61,544
	Zachary Mellender (Nonpartisan)	36.5	35,357

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 96,901
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 8

Incumbent Barbara Weitz and Zachary Mellender advanced from the primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 8 on May 14, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Barbara Weitz (Nonpartisan)	66.0	24,173
✔	Zachary Mellender (Nonpartisan)	34.0	12,464

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 36,637
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Education ballot measures

On November 5, 2024, 11 education-related ballot measures were on the ballot in 10 states. To read more about education ballot measures on the ballot in 2024, click here.

In Nebraska, there was one education measure on the ballot.

Nebraska Referendum 435, Private Education Scholarship Program Referendum

What would this measure do?

A "retain" vote supported upholding Legislative Bill 1402, which authorizes the state treasurer to administer an education scholarship program with a $10 million budget beginning in fiscal year 2024-2025 for eligible students to cover all or part of the cost of attending any nongovernmental, privately operated elementary or secondary school in the state that fulfills all accreditation requirements.

A "repeal" vote supported partially repealing Legislative Bill 1402, which authorizes the state treasurer to administer an education scholarship program, but would not repeal the part of the bill that repealed Legislative Bill 753, which enacted a tax credit for taxpayers who contribute to education scholarships.

Support for retaining LB 1402

Supporters

Officials

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts (R)
U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith (R)
Gov. Jim Pillen (R)
State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan (R)

Organizations

American Federation for Children
Nebraska Family Alliance
Omaha Catholic School Consortium

Arguments

State Senator Lou Ann Linehan (R): "No matter how much money opponents of school choice spend or how many signatures they collect, supporters of school choice won't stop fighting for parents rights and for our kids."
State Sen. Dave Murman (R): "Others have argued LB 1402 defunds public schools. Those who make this claim either haven’t done the math or simply know they are lying. In the 2022-2023 year, K-12 schools received about $4.7 billion in taxpayer funds. Since my time as chair of the Education Committee, we have additionally appropriated over $1.6 billion for our public schools. Compare this spending with the $10 million cost of LB 1402, and we see that it is only about 0.2 percent, or two one-thousandths, of our total education funding. Compared to most school choice programs across the country, LB 1402 is amongst the humblest and most meager in the nation."

Support for repealing LB 1402

Support Our Schools Nebraska is leading the campaign to repeal the law.^[1]

Supporters

Political Parties

Democratic Party of Nebraska

Unions

National Education Association
Nebraska State Education Association

Organizations

League of Women Voters of Nebraska
NAACP Lincoln Branch
Nebraska Civic Engagement Table
OpenSky Policy Institute
Parent-Teacher Association of Nebraska

Arguments

Jenni Benson, Support Our Schools Nebraska sponsor and president of the Nebraska State Education Association: "Since last summer we’ve collected more than 200,000 signatures from Nebraskans who believe voters should decide whether public funds should be used to pay for private schools. The incredibly short timeline was a huge challenge, but Nebraskans wanted to sign this petition – many were appalled that LB1402 was passed to block citizens from voting on the issue and to impose a costly new voucher scheme on taxpayers."

Voting information

See also: Voting in Nebraska

Election information in Nebraska: Nov. 5, 2024, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

In-person: Oct. 25, 2024
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 18, 2024
Online: Oct. 18, 2024

Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

Yes

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

In-person: Oct. 25, 2024
By mail: Received by Oct. 25, 2024
Online: Oct. 25, 2024

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

In-person: Nov. 5, 2024
By mail: Received by Nov. 5, 2024

Was early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Oct. 7, 2024 to Nov. 4, 2024

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When were polls open on Election Day?

8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (CST)

Past elections

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2018.

2022

See also: Nebraska State Board of Regents election, 2022

District 6

General election

General election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 6

Incumbent Paul Kenney defeated Julie Hehnke in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 6 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Paul Kenney (Nonpartisan)	54.1	34,705
		Julie Hehnke (Nonpartisan)	45.9	29,420

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 64,125
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 6

Incumbent Paul Kenney and Julie Hehnke advanced from the primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 6 on May 10, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Paul Kenney (Nonpartisan)	51.4	22,399
✔		Julie Hehnke (Nonpartisan)	48.6	21,184

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 43,583
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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District 7

General election

General election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 7

Kathy Wilmot defeated Matt Williams in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 7 on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Kathy Wilmot (Nonpartisan)	54.4	39,539
	Matt Williams (Nonpartisan)	45.6	33,121

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 72,660
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 7

Matt Williams and Kathy Wilmot defeated Nolan Gurnsey in the primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 7 on May 10, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Matt Williams (Nonpartisan)	45.7	22,380
✔		Kathy Wilmot (Nonpartisan)	41.9	20,532
	Submit photo	Nolan Gurnsey (Nonpartisan)	12.4	6,079

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 48,991
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Mike Groene (Nonpartisan)

2020

See also: Nebraska State Board of Regents election, 2020

District 1

General election

General election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 1

Incumbent Timothy Clare won election in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 1 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Timothy Clare (Nonpartisan)	100.0	94,646

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 94,646
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 1

Incumbent Timothy Clare advanced from the primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 1 on May 12, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Timothy Clare (Nonpartisan)	100.0	52,973

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 52,973
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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District 2

General election

General election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 2

Jack Stark won election in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 2 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jack Stark (Nonpartisan)	100.0	101,098

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 101,098
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Mike Kennedy (Nonpartisan)

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 2

Mike Kennedy and Jack Stark defeated Viv Ewing in the primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 2 on May 12, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mike Kennedy (Nonpartisan)	34.7	20,129
✔		Jack Stark (Nonpartisan)	33.7	19,567
	Submit photo	Viv Ewing (Nonpartisan)	31.5	18,285

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 57,981
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2018

See also: Nebraska State Board of Regents election, 2018

District 3

General election

General election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 3

Incumbent Jim Pillen won election in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 3 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Pillen (Nonpartisan)	100.0	55,440

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 55,440 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 3

Incumbent Jim Pillen advanced from the primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 3 on May 15, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Pillen (Nonpartisan)	100.0	29,077

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 29,077
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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District 4

General election

General election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 4

Elizabeth O'Connor defeated Larry Bradley in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 4 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Elizabeth O'Connor (Nonpartisan)	72.6	38,304
	Submit photo	Larry Bradley (Nonpartisan)	27.4	14,478

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 52,782 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 4

Elizabeth O'Connor and Larry Bradley advanced from the primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 4 on May 15, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Elizabeth O'Connor (Nonpartisan)	72.1	15,418
✔	Submit photo	Larry Bradley (Nonpartisan)	27.9	5,958

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 21,376
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Anne Herman (Nonpartisan)

District 5

General election

General election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 5

Incumbent Robert Schafer defeated Robert Prokop in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 5 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Schafer (Nonpartisan)	60.6	39,538
	Submit photo	Robert Prokop (Nonpartisan)	39.4	25,732

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 65,270 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 5

Incumbent Robert Schafer and Robert Prokop defeated Joshua Redwine in the primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 5 on May 15, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Schafer (Nonpartisan)	50.5	16,354
✔	Submit photo	Robert Prokop (Nonpartisan)	28.0	9,047
	Submit photo	Joshua Redwine (Nonpartisan)	21.5	6,962

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 32,363
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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District 8

General election

General election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 8

Barbara Weitz defeated incumbent Hal Daub in the general election for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 8 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Barbara Weitz (Nonpartisan)	52.9	48,265
	Submit photo	Hal Daub (Nonpartisan)	47.1	42,941

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 91,206 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 8

Barbara Weitz and incumbent Hal Daub defeated Ryan Wilkins in the primary for University of Nebraska Board of Regents District 8 on May 15, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Barbara Weitz (Nonpartisan)	43.8	14,487
✔	Submit photo	Hal Daub (Nonpartisan)	41.6	13,774
		Ryan Wilkins (Nonpartisan)	14.6	4,844

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 33,105
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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External links

Footnotes

↑ Support Our Schools Nebraska, "Home," accessed August 28, 2024

[supportourschools-1] Support Our Schools Nebraska, "Home," accessed August 28, 2024

[1]

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