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Republican activists launch petition effort to eliminate Nebraska's 'Blue Dot'

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

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Republican activists launch petition effort to eliminate Nebraska's 'Blue Dot'

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Press conference for election petitions on Oct. 14, 2025. The ballot initiatives would replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

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A blue dot from a livestream camera is reflected off Republican Party chair Eric Underwood as he answers questions from reporters during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

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Former Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Tom Nesbitt bows his head in prayer during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

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Nebraska State Board of Education member Kirk Penner speaks during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

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Former Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Tom Nesbitt, from left, Nebraska State Board of Education member Kirk Penner and radio host Doug Fitzgerald speak to one another before Tuesday's news conference at the Lincoln Cornhusker Marriott Hotel.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

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Wearing a GOP lapel pin, former Nebraska Republican Party chair Eric Underwood answers questions during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

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Photos & videos: Republicans launch ballot initiatives targeting Nebraska elections

Former Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Tom Nesbitt speaks during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Former Nebraska Republican Party chair Eric Underwood looks at his notes during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Former Republican Party chair Eric Underwood answers questions from reporters during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Fanchon Blythe smiles during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Former Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Tom Nesbitt, right, joins others in prayer during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Doug Fitzgerald, from left, speaks while Nebraska State Board of Education member Kirk Penner and former Republican Party chair Eric Underwood listen during Tuesday's news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Former Seward GOP chair Danna Seevers is seen during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Stickers encourage petition circulators to help gather signatures for ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska State Board of Education member Kirk Penner (center) speaks during Tuesday's news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Former Republican Party chair Eric Underwood, center, leads a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska State Board of Education member Kirk Penner speaks during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Wearing a GOP lapel pin, former Nebraska Republican Party chair Eric Underwood answers questions during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Doug Fitzgerald speaks during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Former Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Tom Nesbitt, from left, Nebraska State Board of Education member Kirk Penner and radio host Doug Fitzgerald speak to one another before Tuesday's news conference at the Lincoln Cornhusker Marriott Hotel.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Attendees of Tuesday's news conference listen as Eric Underwood speaks at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Former Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Tom Nesbitt bows his head in prayer during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

A blue dot from a livestream camera is reflected off Republican Party chair Eric Underwood as he answers questions from reporters during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Fanchon Blythe, right, listens to former Republican Party chair Eric Underwood, center, speak during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

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Press conference for election petitions

Press conference for election petitions on Oct. 14, 2025. The ballot initiatives would replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-…

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AFAN: Hand Count Ballots, 10.14

A blue dot from a livestream camera is reflected off Republican Party chair Eric Underwood as he answers questions from reporters during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

Former Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Tom Nesbitt, from left, Nebraska State Board of Education member Kirk Penner and radio host Doug Fitzgerald speak to one another before Tuesday's news conference at the Lincoln Cornhusker Marriott Hotel.

Nebraska State Board of Education member Kirk Penner speaks during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

Former Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Tom Nesbitt bows his head in prayer during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

Wearing a GOP lapel pin, former Nebraska Republican Party chair Eric Underwood answers questions during a news conference at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel announcing the launch of ballot initiatives to replace Nebraska's electoral system with a winner-take-all model and require hand-counting of ballots.

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