Nebraska announces election, filing dates for congressional special election

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Congressman Jeff Fortenberry's temporary replacement will be decided this June.

Gov. Pete Ricketts announced Friday morning that the special election to fill the vacancy created by Fortenberry's resignation will be held June 28th, the same day Fortenberry is scheduled to be sentenced in California.

Fortenberry's resignation became official Thursday. He served in Congress starting in 2005, stepping down after he was convicted of three felonies in federal court. The person picked by voters in June will finish out the remainder of Fortenberry's current two-year term.

Fortenberry is still on the first district ballot in May's primary election, along with four other Republicans. Two Democrats have also filed for the originally scheduled primary.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen says candidates have until April 22nd to file for the special election.

Only two names -- one Democratic candidate and one Republican candidate -- will appear on the special election ballot. Both parties' executive boards will select candidates for the special election. No other parties will be able to nominate candidates.

Voters will be able to submit their votes in person up to 30 days ahead of the special election. Early ballots will be sent 15 days prior to the vote upon request only.

Nebraska's first congressional district will cast a total of three votes this year -- the May 10 primary, the June 28 special election and the November 8 general election.