The County Public Defender provides legal services and representation to individuals that have been accused of a crime which carries with it the potential for jail or prison time and cannot afford to retain private counsel.
Eligibility requirements
The public defender shall be a lawyer licensed to practice law in this state. County officials must be residents of the county when they accept the office but they do not need to be a resident when declaring their candidacy
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FAQ
How often is County Public Defender elected?
The position of County Public Defender is typically elected every 4 years.
What does it mean for an election to be partisan?
Partisan elections require candidates to declare a party affiliation, like Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Independent.
What are the filing requirements to get on the ballot in Lancaster County, NE?
Candidates must submit a partisan candidate filing form, a filing fee of $1547.57 and a Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission C-1 form. A registered voter who was not a candidate in the primary election and who was not registered to vote with a party affiliation on or after March 1st and before the general election in the calendar year of the general election may have his or her name placed on the general election ballot for a partisan office by completing a nominating petition (which would be submitted in lieu of a partisan filing form). They will need to receive a number of valid signatures (registered voters within the specific district in which they are seeking office) equal to 10% of the number of registered voters there and file the completed petition with their respective office before September 4th.
Where do I submit my candidate paperwork?
Submit paperwork to the Election Commissioner's office.
Where is the filing office?
601 N 46th St, Lincoln, NE 68503.
How can I get in touch with the filing office?
You can contact the filing office by calling 402-441-7311.
How do I get started running for County Public Defender?
You can start running for County Public Defender by checking to ensure you meet all filing deadlines and requirements. Next, you can prepare to file for office and start planning your campaign strategy. Get in touch with our team of campaign experts for help with any step of the campaign process!
Is there a primary or runoff election for this office?
The next election for County Public Defender includes a primary, but not a runoff election.
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