10/23/26
JCRC Receives National Grant to Strengthen Nebraska’s 2026 Elections
Pam Monsky JCRC Assistant Director
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Omaha has been awarded an Ignition Grant from A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy. JCRC is one of just 49 Jewish organizations nationwide, and the only organization in Nebraska, selected to lead local efforts to help protect and strengthen the 2026 midterm election.
The grant supports Every Voice, Every Vote, an initiative through which JCRC is advancing nonpartisan voter education and election engagement throughout the 2026 midterm election cycle.
Since August, JCRC has connected the Jewish community with election officials through educational programs and community outreach.
On Aug. 5, JCRC hosted a Community Conversation featuring Douglas and Sarpy County election commissioners and chief deputy commissioners. The conversation offered community members an inside look at how local elections are administered and secured, the latest issues facing voters and what it is like to serve as a poll worker.
As voters prepare for the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, thousands of trained poll workers will be needed to help ensure Election Day runs smoothly. Douglas County, Nebraska’s largest county, requires up to 3,000 election workers to staff approximately 230 precincts and serve more than 360,000 registered voters.
This summer, Douglas County Election Commissioner Danielle Jensen publicly called for additional poll workers for the November election, highlighting the importance of the work JCRC is supporting through Every Voice, Every Vote.
JCRC has also focused on voter registration and access. On August 23, the League of Women Voters hosted two voter registration tables at the Staenberg Omaha JCC, helping JCC and Jewish Federation of Omaha members make sure their voter registration information was current and ready for Election Day.
Voter education has been another key component of the initiative. JCRC has co-hosted B’nai B’rith Henry Monsky Lodge Breadbreakers Candidate Forums, providing opportunities for candidates to speak directly with members of the Jewish community about their positions and priorities.
JCRC has also invited candidates with Jewish constituents to respond to questions on issues important to the Jewish community. Their responses are featured in the JCRC’s Jewish Voters’ Guide, providing voters with information they can use to make informed decisions at the polls.
