Welcome to Decoding the Ballot 2023! This nonpartisan resource from Civic Nebraska explains the roles, responsibilities, and compensation for elected offices on ballots for the April 4 primary election and May 2 general election in Lincoln, Nebraska. Each entry has a brief description of the office’s responsibilities, terms, and salary, if applicable. For more information, please contact our Election Protection Line at 402.890.5291, visit Election 2023 Central or email me at heather.engdahl@civicnebraska.org.
Thank you for being an informed participant in your democracy!
Heather Engdahl, Director of Voting Rights, Civic Nebraska
Candidate list – May 2 general election
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Lincoln Journal Star Voter’s Guide
City of Lincoln
4-year term
Limited to three consecutive terms
$99,251 annually
General election (May 2): Lincoln voters will select who will serve as mayor through 2027.
The mayor is the City of Lincoln’s chief executive. The responsibilities of the role include proposing a budget, signing legislation into law, appointing departmental directors and committee members, and overseeing the city’s day-to-day operations. The mayor also has veto powers and represents the city on the state, national, and international levels.
List of all 2023 candidates
4-year term
$24,000 annually
General election (May 2): Four of the Council’s seven seats are up for election. In 2023, the seats up for election are based in the city’s four districts.
The Lincoln City Council is the city’s main legislative body and is responsible for adopting the city budget, approving mayoral appointees, levying taxes, and making or amending city laws, policies, and ordinances.
The City Council has seven members: Four are elected within the city’s four districts and three are elected at large. In 2023, voters will select council members from the city’s four districts, while the three at-large seats will be up for election in 2025.
Map of Lincoln City Council districts
List of all 2023 candidates
Lincoln Public Schools
4-year term
General election (May 2): Three of the Board’s seven seats are up for election.
The Board of Education is the elected governing body of Lincoln Public Schools, the second-largest school district in the state with more than 40,000 students enrolled. The Board shares its decision-making processes with parents, students, other citizens, and staff members. Board Members are elected by district to four-year terms and serve without pay.
In 2023, three seats will be up for election – Districts 2, 4, and 6.
Map of Lincoln’s school board districts
List of all 2023 candidates
Lincoln Airport Authority
6-year term
General election (May 2): Two of five seats are up for election.
The Lincoln Airport Authority is a local government entity existing under the Nebraska Airport Authorities Act of 1959. The airport is owned by the City of Lincoln, but the city has given care, custody, and control of the airport to the Authority and the Authority maintains and operates the airport. The Authority is governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by Lincoln voters. The Authority operates the airport as well as an industrial park, consisting mostly of manufacturing and warehousing tenants. The airport has about 85 employees including its own police force, as well as customer service, facilities and maintenance, and administrative personnel. Two of the five-member board seats are up for election in 2023.
List of all 2023 candidates
