§ 25-1654.Combined list; master key list; how produced.
Article 16: Jurors and Jury Selection · Last amended 2020 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceThis section directs the Department of Motor Vehicles and election officials to supply the jury commissioner with driver, state-ID, and voter data each year, has the commissioner merge those lists on a population-based schedule, then build the master key list from the key number and every tenth name after it.
Full Text of § 25-1654
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(1) Each December, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall make available to each jury commissioner a list in magnetic, optical, digital, or other electronic format mutually agreed to by the jury commissioner and the department containing the names, dates of birth, addresses, and motor vehicle operator license numbers or state identification card numbers of all licensed motor vehicle operators and state identification card holders nineteen years of age or older in the county. If a jury commissioner requests similar lists at other times from the department, the cost of processing such lists shall be paid by the county which the requesting jury commissioner serves. Upon request of the jury commissioner, the election commissioner or county clerk having charge of the election records shall furnish to the jury commissioner a complete list of the names, dates of birth, addresses, and motor vehicle operator license numbers or state identification card numbers of all registered voters nineteen years of age or older in the county.
(2) When required pursuant to subsection (3) of this section or when otherwise necessary or as directed by the judge or judges, the jury commissioner shall create a combined list by merging the separate lists described in subsection (1) of this section and reducing any duplication to the best of his or her ability.
(3) In counties having a population of seven thousand inhabitants or more, the jury commissioner shall produce a combined list at least once each calendar year. In counties having a population of three thousand inhabitants but less than seven thousand inhabitants, the jury commissioner shall produce a combined list at least once every two calendar years. In counties having a population of less than three thousand inhabitants, the jury commissioner shall produce a combined list at least once every five calendar years.
(4) The jury commissioner shall then create a master key list by selecting from the combined list the name of the person whose numerical order on such list corresponds with the key number and each successive tenth name thereafter. The jury commissioner shall certify that the master key list has been made in accordance with the Jury Selection Act.
(5) Any unintentional duplication of names on a combined list or master key list shall not be grounds for quashing any panel or jury list pursuant to section 25-1678 or for the disqualification of any juror.
Section 25-1654 describes how Nebraska builds the raw material for jury selection. Each December, the Department of Motor Vehicles gives every jury commissioner a list, in an electronic format the commissioner and the department agree on, of names, dates of birth, addresses, and license or state ID numbers for all licensed drivers and state identification card holders nineteen or older in the county. The county pays the cost if the commissioner asks the department for additional lists at other times. Separately, on the commissioner’s request, the election commissioner or county clerk supplies a complete list of registered voters nineteen or older in the county, with the same identifying details.
Those two source lists become a single combined list when the jury commissioner merges them and reduces duplication as best as possible. How often that has to happen depends on county population: at least once a year in counties of seven thousand or more; at least once every two years in counties between three thousand and seven thousand; and at least once every five years in counties under three thousand.
From the combined list, the jury commissioner builds the master key list by selecting the name whose position on the list matches the key number drawn under § 25-1653, then every tenth name after it. The commissioner certifies that the master key list was made in accordance with the Jury Selection Act. Because the process is not error-proof, the section closes with a safeguard: unintentional duplication of names on either the combined list or the master key list is not grounds for quashing a jury panel or jury list under § 25-1678, nor grounds for disqualifying a juror.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the jury commissioner get the names for a jury list?
From two source lists — a December list of licensed drivers and state identification card holders from the Department of Motor Vehicles, and a list of registered voters from the election commissioner or county clerk — merged into a combined list.
How often must a county produce a new combined list?
At least once a year in counties of seven thousand or more inhabitants, at least once every two years in counties of three thousand to under seven thousand, and at least once every five years in counties under three thousand.
How does the jury commissioner turn the combined list into the master key list?
By selecting the name whose numerical position on the combined list matches the key number, and then every tenth name after it, and certifying the result.
What happens if the same name appears twice on a jury list by accident?
Unintentional duplication on a combined list or master key list is not grounds for quashing a panel or jury list under § 25-1678, and it does not disqualify a juror.
Who pays if the jury commissioner requests extra DMV lists outside the regular December update?
The county the requesting jury commissioner serves pays the cost of processing those additional lists.
What information does the DMV or voter list include about each person?
Names, dates of birth, addresses, and motor vehicle operator license numbers or state identification card numbers.
Source & verification. Section text and the amendment-history citation are
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Legislature, Revisor of Statutes, enacted by the
Nebraska Legislature. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
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