In an impressive display of civic duty, 81.82% of Merrick County’s registered voters cast ballots in the 2024 General Election. A total of 4,340 ballots were recorded according to unofficial statistics provided by Merrick County. Below is a comprehensive, unofficial breakdown of every race and ballot measure impacting Merrick County.

Merrick County Voter Turnout and Statistics

• Registered Voters: 5,304
• Total Ballots Cast: 4,340 (all on Election Day, All-Mail-In Voting)
• Blank Ballots: 13
• Voter Turnout: 81.82%

Federal and State Offices

• President and Vice President (Vote for 1)
  • Donald J. Trump / J.D. Vance (Republican): 3,468 votes (79.91%)
  • Kamala D. Harris / Tim Walz (Democratic): 721 votes (16.61%)
  • Chase Oliver / Mike ter Maat (Libertarian): 28 votes (0.65%)
  • Cornel West / Melina Abdullah (Legal Marijuana Now): 18 votes (0.41%)
  • Jill Stein / Samson Kpadenou (By Petition): 13 votes (0.30%)
  • Write-In Totals: 24 votes (0.55%)
  • Total Votes Cast: 4,272
  • Overvotes: 12
  • Undervotes: 56
• U.S. Senator (6-Year Term) (Vote for 1)
  • Deb Fischer (Republican): 3,151 votes (72.62%)
  • Dan Osborn (By Petition): 1,068 votes (24.61%)
  • Write-In Totals: 20 votes (0.46%)
  • Total Votes Cast: 4,239
  • Overvotes: 3
  • Undervotes: 97
• U.S. Senator (2-Year Term) (Vote for 1)
  • Pete Ricketts (Republican): 3,559 votes (82.02%)
  • Preston Love Jr. (Democratic): 642 votes (14.80%)
  • Write-In Totals: 11 votes (0.25%)
  • Total Votes Cast: 4,212
  • Overvotes: 3
  • Undervotes: 124
• Representative in Congress - District 3 (Vote for 1)
  • Adrian Smith (Republican): 3,566 votes (82.18%)
  • Daniel Ebers (Democratic): 576 votes (13.27%)
  • Write-In Totals: 12 votes (0.28%)
  • Total Votes Cast: 4,154
  • Overvotes: 1
  • Undervotes: 184

Merrick County Board of Supervisors

• District 2 (Vote for 1)
  • Russell L. Kreachbaum Jr. (Republican): 491 votes (74.85%)
  • Write-In Totals: 43 votes (6.55%)
  • Total Votes Cast: 534
  • Undervotes: 122
• District 4 (Vote for 1)
  • Carolyn K. Kucera (Republican): 347 votes (54.13%)
  • Write-In Totals: 231 votes (36.04%)
  • Total Votes Cast: 578
  • Overvotes: 2
  • Undervotes: 61
• District 6 (Vote for 1)
  • Roger Wiegert (Republican): 480 votes (75.71%)
  • Write-In Totals: 6 votes (0.95%)
  • Total Votes Cast: 486
  • Undervotes: 148

Judicial Retention Votes

• Judge Julie A. Martin (Workers' Compensation Court):
  • Yes: 2,617 (60.31%)
  • No: 605 (13.94%)
  • Undervotes: 1,116
• Judge James C. Stecker (District Court, District 5):
  • Yes: 2,576 (59.37%)
  • No: 631 (14.54%)
  • Undervotes: 1,128
• Judge Rachel Daugherty (District Court, District 5):
  • Yes: 2,659 (61.28%)
  • No: 633 (14.59%)
  • Undervotes: 1,046
• Judge Lynelle D. Homolka (County Court, District 5):
  • Yes: 2,857 (65.84%)
  • No: 728 (16.78%)
  • Undervotes: 753

Central Community College Board of Governors

• District 1 (Vote for 1)
  • Jason Buss: 2,930 votes (67.53%)
  • Write-In Totals: 41 votes (0.94%)
  • Undervotes: 1,368
• At Large (Vote for 1)
  • Michelle Broekemier: 2,227 votes (51.33%)
  • John A. Novotny: 844 votes (19.45%)
  • Write-In Totals: 18 votes (0.41%)
  • Undervotes: 1,246

Natural Resources Districts

• Central Platte NRD, Subdistrict 9 (Vote for 1)
  • Douglas Reeves: 1,811 votes (45.23%)
  • Andrew Simmons: 1,233 votes (30.79%)
  • Write-In Totals: 20 votes (0.50%)
  • Undervotes: 938
• Lower Loup NRD, Subdistrict 5 (Vote for 1)
  • Matt Lukasiewicz: 213 votes (63.58%)
  • Dwain A. Seier: 20 votes (5.97%)
  • Write-In Totals: 1 vote (0.30%)
  • Undervotes: 101

Township Structure Referendum

A key measure on the Merrick County ballot asked residents to decide whether to discontinue the township organization and shift to a seven-member county commissioner board:

• Against Discontinuance: 1,251 votes (47.08%)
• For Discontinuance: 996 votes (37.49%)
• Undervotes: 404

Local Ballot Measures

1. Palmer Public Schools Bond
   • Against Bond and Tax: 253 votes (50.50%)
   • For Bond and Tax: 220 votes (43.91%)
   • Undervotes: 27
2. Village of Palmer Sales Tax Allocation
   • For Reallocation: 181 votes (72.98%)
   • Against Reallocation: 54 votes (21.77%)
   • Undervotes: 13
3. Village of Palmer Economic Development Program
   • For Program: 176 votes (70.97%)
   • Against Program: 51 votes (20.56%)
   • Undervotes: 20

Statewide Initiatives and Referenda

1. Initiative Measure 434:
   • For: 2,726 votes (62.83%)
   • Against: 1,379 votes (31.78%)
   • Undervotes: 217
2. Referendum Measure 435:
   • Retain: 1,689 votes (38.93%)
   • Repeal: 2,287 votes (52.71%)
   • Undervotes: 355
3. Initiative Measure 436:
   • For: 2,555 votes (58.88%)
   • Against: 1,384 votes (31.90%)
   • Undervotes: 397
4. Initiative Measure 437:
   • For: 2,331 votes (53.73%)
   • Against: 1,682 votes (38.77%)
   • Undervotes: 319
5. Initiative Measure 438:
   • For: 2,097 votes (48.35%)
   • Against: 1,886 votes (43.49%)
   • Undervotes: 353
6. Initiative Measure 439:
   • For: 1,463 votes (33.73%)
   • Against: 2,677 votes (61.72%)
   • Undervotes: 186

Cornhusker PPD
Vote For 1

• Galen E. Frenzen: 8 (72.73%)
• Write-In Totals: 2 (18.18%)
• Not Assigned: 2 (18.18%)
• Total Votes Cast: 10 (90.91%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 1 (9.09%)
• Contest Totals: 11 (100.00%)

Howard Greeley Rural PPD SubDist 3
Vote For 1

• Robert Rasmussen: 2 (40.00%)
• Write-In Totals: 0 (0.00%)
• Not Assigned: 0 (0.00%)
• Total Votes Cast: 2 (40.00%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 3 (60.00%)
• Contest Totals: 5 (100.00%)

Howard Greeley Rural PPD SubDist 5
Vote For 1

• Steve L. Wissing: 9 (52.94%)
• Write-In Totals: 0 (0.00%)
• Not Assigned: 0 (0.00%)
• Total Votes Cast: 9 (52.94%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 8 (47.06%)
• Contest Totals: 17 (100.00%)

Southern PPD
Vote For 1

• Courtney Retzlaff: 1,537 (74.40%)
• Write-In Totals: 9 (0.44%)
• Not Assigned: 9 (0.44%)
• Total Votes Cast: 1,546 (74.83%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 520 (25.17%)
• Contest Totals: 2,066 (100.00%)

Twin Loups Reclamation District
Vote For 1

• Dean G. Thede: 302 (73.84%)
• Write-In Totals: 3 (0.73%)
• Not Assigned: 3 (0.73%)
• Total Votes Cast: 305 (74.57%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 104 (25.43%)
• Contest Totals: 409 (100.00%)

ESU 7-10
Vote For 1

• Marni Danhauer: 1,776 (65.80%)
• Write-In Totals: 21 (0.78%)
• Not Assigned: 21 (0.78%)
• Total Votes Cast: 1,797 (66.58%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 902 (33.42%)
• Contest Totals: 2,699 (100.00%)

Grand Island Public Schools District 2 Ward C
Vote For 1

• Josh Hawley: 1 (33.33%)
• John McHargue: 1 (33.33%)
• Write-In Totals: 0 (0.00%)
• Not Assigned: 0 (0.00%)
• Total Votes Cast: 2 (66.67%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 1 (33.33%)
• Contest Totals: 3 (100.00%)

Northwest Public Schools District 82
Vote For 3

• Aaron T. Buhrman: 248 (13.75%)
• Paul Mader: 281 (15.59%)
• Artie Moeller: 284 (15.75%)
• Brady J. Kayl: 217 (12.04%)
• Write-In Totals: 8 (0.44%)
• Not Assigned: 8 (0.44%)
• Total Votes Cast: 1,038 (57.57%)
• Overvotes: 3 (0.17%)
• Undervotes: 762 (42.26%)
• Contest Totals: 1,803 (100.00%)

Twin River Schools District 30
Vote For 3

• Jennifer L. Swantek: 127 (14.35%)
• John Reeg: 97 (10.96%)
• Alex Cornwell: 94 (10.62%)
• Dan Preister: 76 (8.59%)
• Connie Brandenburger-Worden: 108 (12.20%)
• Jaysen L. Melcher: 91 (10.28%)
• Write-In Totals: 11 (1.24%)
• Not Assigned: 11 (1.24%)
• Total Votes Cast: 604 (68.25%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 281 (31.75%)
• Contest Totals: 885 (100.00%)

Palmer Public School Board
Vote For 3

• Brian J. Friedrichsen: 347 (23.09%)
• Daniel Hake: 367 (24.42%)
• Todd Richard Weller: 348 (23.15%)
• Write-In Totals: 12 (0.80%)
• Not Assigned: 12 (0.80%)
• Total Votes Cast: 1,074 (71.46%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 429 (28.54%)
• Contest Totals: 1,503 (100.00%)

PALMER SCHOOL BOND
Vote For 1

• FOR said bonds and tax: 220 (43.91%)
• AGAINST said bonds and tax: 253 (50.50%)
• Total Votes Cast: 473 (94.41%)
• Overvotes: 1 (0.20%)
• Undervotes: 27 (5.39%)
• Contest Totals: 501 (100.00%)

Central City Schools District 4
Vote For 3

• Lisa A. Wagner: 1,773 (23.38%)
• Brian K. Buhlke: 1,714 (22.60%)
• Brett Zikmund: 1,682 (22.18%)
• Write-In Totals: 75 (0.99%)
• Not Assigned: 75 (0.99%)
• Total Votes Cast: 5,244 (69.15%)
• Overvotes: 3 (0.04%)
• Undervotes: 2,337 (30.81%)
• Contest Totals: 7,584 (100.00%)

Fullerton Schools District 1
Vote For 3

• David Diancio: 2 (11.11%)
• Brian L. Aaberg: 3 (16.67%)
• Brad Anderson: 2 (11.11%)
• David L. Reilly: 0 (0.00%)
• Dillon Busch: 2 (11.11%)
• Brittany Bertram: 3 (16.67%)
• Write-In Totals: 0 (0.00%)
• Not Assigned: 0 (0.00%)
• Total Votes Cast: 12 (66.67%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 6 (33.33%)
• Contest Totals: 18 (100.00%)

High Plains Community Schools
Vote For 3

• Dorinda Brown: 197 (16.21%)
• Kayla M. Zoucha: 265 (21.81%)
• Chad Hoffman: 218 (17.94%)
• Write-In Totals: 10 (0.82%)
• Not Assigned: 10 (0.82%)
• Total Votes Cast: 690 (56.79%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 525 (43.21%)
• Contest Totals: 1,215 (100.00%)

City Council Ward 1
Vote For 2

• Hanna Hawthorne: 575 (35.58%)
• David J Lee: 501 (31.00%)
• Write-In Totals: 14 (0.87%)
• Not Assigned: 14 (0.87%)
• Total Votes Cast: 1,090 (67.45%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 526 (32.55%)
• Contest Totals: 1,616 (100.00%)

City Council Ward 2
Vote For 1

• Dennis Wagner: 669 (76.54%)
• Write-In Totals: 25 (2.86%)
• Not Assigned: 25 (2.86%)
• Total Votes Cast: 694 (79.40%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 180 (20.60%)
• Contest Totals: 874 (100.00%)

Clarks Village Board
Vote For 2

• Dylan Drummond: 50 (17.12%)
• Dave Schultz: 66 (22.60%)
• Dyrek Zoucha: 99 (33.90%)
• Write-In Totals: 8 (2.74%)
• Not Assigned: 8 (2.74%)
• Total Votes Cast: 223 (76.37%)
• Overvotes: 2 (0.68%)
• Undervotes: 67 (22.95%)
• Contest Totals: 292 (100.00%)

Chapman Village Board
Vote For 2

• Jim Ceplecha: 54 (21.09%)
• Emil R. Kment: 55 (21.48%)
• Scott Gamblin: 89 (34.77%)
• Write-In Totals: 3 (1.17%)
• Not Assigned: 3 (1.17%)
• Total Votes Cast: 201 (78.52%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 55 (21.48%)
• Contest Totals: 256 (100.00%)

Palmer Village Board
Vote For 2

• Chase D. Samuelson: 84 (16.94%)
• Amber Smith: 67 (13.51%)
• Charles Berney: 152 (30.65%)
• Anthony Eckstrom: 142 (28.63%)
• Write-In Totals: 4 (0.81%)
• Not Assigned: 4 (0.81%)
• Total Votes Cast: 449 (90.52%)
• Overvotes: 4 (0.81%)
• Undervotes: 43 (8.67%)
• Contest Totals: 496 (100.00%)

Silver Creek Village Board
Vote For 3

• Write-In Totals: 166 (29.75%)
• Not Assigned: 166 (29.75%)
• Total Votes Cast: 166 (29.75%)
• Overvotes: 0 (0.00%)
• Undervotes: 392 (70.25%)
• Contest Totals: 558 (100.00%)

These results provide an exhaustive, detailed overview of voter decisions across federal, state, and local races and initiatives. All counts are preliminary and will await final certification to confirm Merrick County’s electoral choices.