In case you have missed it, 2024 is a big election year. Big meaning that aside from local and state candidates, it is a presidential election year.

As we gear up for the May 14 primary, there are several key dates on the Nebraska election calendar to be aware of.

One of those is just around the corner - Feb. 15 is the deadline for all current office-holders to file for re-election in time for the May 14 primary election.

March 1 is the deadline for all non-incumbents to file their intention to run in the primary election.

March 1 is also the last day for the Nebraska Secretary of State to certify candidates, offices, and issues to be placed on the statewide ballot for the May 14 primary election.

The first day for early, in-person voting at the county clerk’s or election commissioner’s office is April 15. Citizens may vote early in person through May 13. The deadline to register online for in-person voting in the May 14 primary is April 29.

Syndicate Publishing also wants to remind readers of company policies regarding political advertising and letters to the editor. ALL letters to the editor must include a signature and contact information of the sender in order to be published.

Letters to the editor must be a maximum of 400 words; if longer than that we will attempt to notify the sender to request an edited version.

However, Syndicate Publishing does reserve the right to edit all content for length, clarity, or any verbiage that may be harmful to the reputation of another individual.

Editorials of a political nature that meet company policy will be accepted up to two weeks in advance of the election. The deadline for submitting political letters to the editor ahead of the primary is April 19 at 5 p.m. for publication in the April 25 issue.

We encourage our readers to share thoughts and opinions, as we believe healthy dialogue is always a good thing. Local candidates will be given an opportunity to be featured in the local paper as well prior to the election.

In our Feb. 22 issue, we will take a closer look at the offices that will be listed on the primary ballot on the national, state, and local level, as well as the list of incumbents who have filed to be on that ballot. We will strive to provide you with information, key dates, and topics to help keep you informed as the primary election, and later this year the general election, approaches.

Syndicate Publishing reserves the right to share letters to the editor with the subjects of those letters so that a fair opportunity to respond is provided.