Opinion No. (1977)

REQUESTED BY: Ronald D. Lahners, Lancaster County Attorney, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508 Can Lancaster County submit to the electorate for an advisory vote the issue of whether the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County should consolidate their governments?

No.

Generally the law in this regard appears to be that there is no inherent right or power in the people to hold an election, the system of election in this country not being of common law origin since such was unknown to the common law. Therefore the power to hold an election must be based upon authority conferred by law. 29 C.J.S. Elections § 66.