NE LB798

Planning commissions for cities of the second class or villages may now have three, five, seven, or nine regular members (adding three as a new option), as established by ordinance by the city council or village board of trustees.

Cities of the second class that elect council members by ward may submit a ballot question to elect some members by ward and some at-large, with at least two but no more than half of council members elected at-large.

The question of mixed ward/at-large elections can be placed on a general election ballot either by majority vote of the governing body or by petition signed by 25% of voters who voted for the top vote-getter in the previous general election.

At-large council members in cities of the second class serve staggered initial terms (two-year or four-year) based on vote totals received, with all subsequent terms being four years.

Candidates may not file as both an at-large candidate and a ward candidate in the same election.