Primary Election - May 12
General Election - November 3
Why is the Primary important?
In Nebraska, we have a nonpartisan state Legislature — this means, regardless of your party affiliation, you can vote for the person you want to see represent you. The top two vote-getters — regardless of party — in the Primary go on to the General Election.
For Democrats to be on the ballot in the General election, Democrats need our vote in the Primary.
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MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE IN 3 EASY STEPS
There are three ways to register to vote (online, in person and by mail) and three ways to cast your ballot (early at your county election office, by mail or in person at your polling location on election day). The deadlines and further info for each below.
- Register to vote online. You can also change your party affiliation and change your address. Democrats allow Independents to vote in our primary.
- Add the election dates — May 12th (primary) and November 3rd (general)— and your polling location to your calendar now. Adding the dates and location to vote will help remind you where and when you need to be on these two critical dates.
- Complete your Vote-By-Mail application, if you want to vote by mail, and send the application into your county election office. Voting by mail is easy and secure. Your ballot will be mailed to you.
The following counties already conduct ALL Vote-By-Mail (you don’t have to apply, they automatically send you a ballot): Boone, Cedar, Cherry, Clay, Dawes, Dixon, Garden, Knox, Merrick, Morrill, Stanton and rural precincts of Wayne County.
Voting Links
Check to see if you are registered to vote
Find your polling place (where you go on Election Day to vote)
Find your County Election office (where you can do the following: register to vote, request to vote by mail, vote early)
Do Democrats Allow Independents to Vote in the Primary?
Democrats allow Independents to vote in all of our Primary elections. The Republican Party does NOT welcome Independent voters. Just ask for a Democratic ballot when you vote, it is that easy!
If you are a registered non-partisan in Nebraska, during the primaries you can request a Democratic ballot at your polling location on May 12 or when you apply to vote by mail or when you vote early at your county election office.
For all Congressional offices (U.S. Senate and House of Representatives), if you are a non-partisan voter, you can request a partisan Democratic ballot for these federal races. That is a matter of federal law. We hope you choose the Democrats!
For all other state partisan elections (Governor, PSC, etc.), the Democratic Party allows Independent voters to request a Democratic ballot. The Republicans in Nebraska do NOT welcome non-partisan voters in their primary races.
In Nebraska, we have a non-partisan state Legislature — this means, regardless of your party affiliation, you can vote for the person you want to see represent you. The top two vote-getters — regardless of party — in the Primary go on to the General Election.
PRIMARY ELECTION CRITICAL DATES
All of the dates below are for the Primary Election — May 12, 2026.
We will post the General Election dates after the Primary.
Democrats, unlike Republicans, welcome Independents to vote in ALL of our primary elections.
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES
April 20, 2026: Last Day to mail in your voter registration application, it must be postmarked by this date
April 27, 2026: Last day to register to vote online
April 27, 2026: Last day to register to vote in-person at your DMV Office
May 1, 2026 (by 6 p.m): Last day to register to vote in-person at your county election office
Living Overseas?
Democrats Abroad help Nebraskans living overseas vote. Get all the information you need to vote abroad here.
Served Time?
Nebraska law ensures that people who have served time can have their right to vote restored after a two-year period following the successful completion of their sentence, including probation.
You can read all the background on voting rights for formerly incarcerated people here.
Want to Run for Office?
If you want to talk about running in 2026, now is the time to start thinking about all the pieces of a campaign. Send an email to info@nebraskademocrats.org and a staff member will get in touch with you.
VOTE BY MAIL
EARLY VOTING BALLOT (aka Vote-by-Mail) APPLICATION DEADLINES
You need to apply to vote by mail. Voting by mail is easy and allows you to avoid lines and bad weather. You can also look up information online as you vote, which helps with many of the down ballot races where you might not know the candidates.
If you live in one of these counties (Boone, Cedar, Cherry, Clay, Dawes, Dixon, Garden, Knox, Merrill, Merrick, Stanton), you do not have to apply to Vote-By-Mail because they conduct ALL elections by mail. A ballot will be sent to you automatically if you are registered. It is critical to note, if you are an Independent, you will need to notify your county election office that you want a Democratic ballot sent to you.
Independent voters can write on the Vote-by-Mail application that they want a Democratic Ballot mailed to them.
Jan. 12, 2026: First day to complete Vote-by-Mail Application, which you can fill out online, but you must then print and send to your county election office
May 1, 2026 (by 6 p.m.): Last Day the Vote-by-Mail Applications are accepted at your county election office
EARLY VOTING (including Vote-by-Mail) BALLOT RETURN DEADLINES
April 6, 2026: First Day that Vote-By-Mail ballots can be sent to you, if you apply to vote by mail after this date they send the ballot to you on a rolling basis–you can always check to see where your ballot is using this website.
May 12, 2026: Last day your Vote-By-Mail ballot can be received by your county election office–you can drop it to your county election office by this date or ensure you leave plenty of time (at least 10 days) if mailing from home or the post office.
You can always check the status of your early ballot here (whether it was mailed to you and whether the county election office received it).
VOTE EARLY IN PERSON
In-Person Early Voting Dates
April 13, 2026: First Day to vote early, in-person, at your county election office
May 11, 2026: Last Day to vote early, in-person, at your county election office
Vote For Democrats
VOTE ON ELECTION DAY
Election Day Voting
May 12, 2026: Election Day
Find your Polling Location
Vote For Democrats
