Your Guide to Voting in 2026
The general election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. To participate, it's crucial to be registered. The deadline to register online or by mail is Friday, October 16, 2026. If you miss that window, you can still register in person at your county election office until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026. Nebraska offers early in-person voting, which begins on October 5, 2026, and runs through November 2, 2026. Voters can also request a mail-in ballot, but requests must be received by October 23. Remember, Nebraska requires voters to present a valid form of photo identification at the polls.
High-Stakes Federal Races
One of Nebraska's U.S. Senate seats is on the ballot, with incumbent Republican Pete Ricketts seeking his first full term after winning a special
election in 2024. He won the Republican primary and faces a notable challenge from independent Dan Osborn, a former union leader who ran a competitive race against Deb Fischer in 2024. The Democratic primary winner, Cindy Burbank, withdrew from the race to consolidate opposition. Additionally, all three of Nebraska's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives will be up for election, determining who represents Nebraskans in Washington, D.C. for the next two years.
The Race for Governor and State Offices
The contest for Nebraska's top executive office will see incumbent Republican Governor Jim Pillen running for a second term. He secured his party's nomination in the May 12 primary and is being challenged by Democrat Lynne Walz, a former state senator. The winner will be tasked with navigating significant issues, including a projected budget shortfall and ongoing debates about tax policy. Other key statewide constitutional offices are also on the ballot, including Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Auditor of Public Accounts, all of which play crucial roles in the state's governance.
The Unicameral and Special Elections
Voters will decide races for Nebraska's unique single-chamber legislature, the Unicameral. Half of the 49 legislative districts are up for election in 2026. These officially nonpartisan races will determine the ideological balance of a legislative body responsible for all state laws and the budget. Several long-serving state senators are term-limited, guaranteeing new faces in Lincoln. Additionally, a special election is being held for the seat in Legislative District 41, which became vacant following a resignation.
Key Ballot Initiatives to Decide
Beyond candidate races, Nebraskans will vote on several significant statewide ballot measures. One legislatively-referred constitutional amendment proposes to change term limits for state legislators from two consecutive four-year terms to three. Citizen-led initiatives that have been certified include measures to authorize and regulate online sports betting. Another certified initiative would amend the state constitution to prohibit transgender girls and women from participating in female-designated public school sports teams. In Omaha, voters will also decide on local bond measures to fund improvements for parks and other public facilities.
