Nebraska voting deadlines for the November 3, 2026 election

County election offices begin mailing early voting ballots to in-state voters who requested one on Monday, Sept 28. In-person early voting at the county election office starts later, on Monday, Oct 5.

In-person early voting starts Monday, Oct 5 at the county clerk or election commissioner office. In-person early voting ends Monday, Nov 2. Statewide window Oct 5 - Nov 2, held at each county clerk/election commissioner office during its office hours. No excuse needed.

Complete online registration before midnight Friday, Oct 16. Mailed registration forms must be postmarked by Friday, Oct 16. Forms with an illegible postmark are accepted if received by Tuesday, Oct 20.

Your application for a mailed early voting ballot must be received by your county election office by 6 p.m. Friday, Oct 23.

Register in person at your county clerk or election commissioner's office by 6 p.m. Friday, Oct 23. (DMV registrations close at close of business Oct 16.)

In-person early voting ends Monday, Nov 2. Statewide window Oct 5 - Nov 2, held at each county clerk/election commissioner office during its office hours. No excuse needed.

Ballots must be in the hands of the county election office (by mail, in person, or drop box) by poll closing: 8 p.m. Central / 7 p.m. Mountain on Election Day. Postmarks do not count.

Register online, by mail or at the DMV by Friday, March 19, 2027. You can still register in person at your county election office until 6 p.m. on Friday, March 26, 2027.

Nebraska sets city election dates by state statute, not by city charter. Cities of the primary class — currently only Lincoln — hold their general city election on the first Tuesday in May of each odd-numbered year, and the primary falls four weeks earlier, making the next Lincoln city primary Tuesday, April 6, 2027. Lincoln voters decide charter amendments on November 3, 2026 that would move city elections to even-numbered years, so confirm with the Lancaster County Election Commissioner after that vote.

Register online, by mail or at the DMV by Friday, April 16, 2027. In-person registration at your county election office stays open until 6 p.m. on Friday, April 23, 2027.

State law, not a city charter, fixes this date: cities of the primary class hold their general city election on the first Tuesday in May of every odd-numbered year. May 1, 2027 is a Saturday, so the first Tuesday is Tuesday, May 4, 2027. Lincoln is the only city of the primary class. Charter amendments on the November 3, 2026 ballot could move Lincoln to even-year elections, so check with the Lancaster County Election Commissioner.

Candidate filing for offices nominated at the statewide primary opens January 5, 2028. Non-incumbent candidates must file by March 1, 2028. Candidates who already hold an elective office must file by February 15, 2028.

Non-incumbent candidates must file by March 1, 2028. Candidates who already hold an elective office must file by February 15, 2028.

Register online, by mail or at the DMV by Friday, April 21, 2028. In-person registration at your county election office runs until 6 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2028.

Every Nebraska city and village except home rule charter cities must hold its officer elections together with the statewide primary or general election, so for most of the state there is no separate municipal election date. The statewide primary is the first Tuesday after the second Monday in May of even-numbered years; in 2028 the second Monday is May 8, so the primary is Tuesday, May 9, 2028.