On August 31, officials of the Nebraska Libertarian Party sent letters to certain state legislators, and state election officials, suggesting that the election law be modified to make it easier for ballot-qualified parties to remain on the ballot. Specifically, the letter asks for a change in the law to provide that when a party meets the vote test to remain on the ballot, that the effect lasts four years instead of just two years.

Nebraska requires a party to poll 5% of the vote for any statewide office, every election. It is fairly easy for a minor party to poll 5% of the vote in a midterm year, when Nebraska elects five statewide state offices. But it is rare for a minor party to be able to survive in a presidential election year, when the only statewide offices up are President, and, two-thirds of the time, U.S. Senate. As a result, parties must do another petition, and elections officials must check another petition. Both parties and elections officials are put to extra expense by this policy. Thanks to Randy Eshelman for this news.