Nebraska GOP Sues to Block America First Party Ballot Access

The Republican Party of Nebraska has filed a lawsuit in Lancaster District Court to block the America First Party from appearing on the November 3 general election ballot. The GOP alleges that the party's sponsor, Omaha Tribe Attorney General John Cartier, is a leftist political operative using conservative talking points on abortion, illegal immigration, and the Second Amendment to maliciously confuse voters by hijacking a brand associated with Donald J. Trump.

Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen initially determined that the America First Party met legal qualifications for formation. While Evnen acknowledged the party was likely created to cause confusion, he declined to disqualify the name because no other state party uses the specific words America First.

Lancaster County District Judge Matthew Mellor granted an emergency injunction that temporarily halted the party's certification pending a court hearing. The legal challenge seeks to overrule Evnen's decision and prevent the party's official recognition. This dispute occurs alongside other ballot conflicts, including those involving the Nebraska Working People Party and the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate.