Midterm election season is upon us. There’s no escaping the news cycle, the ads, the social media arguments, all working toward Election Day, Nov. 3.
But what if you’re voting in Nebraska for the first time? Whether it’s because of age, recent citizenship, or disengagement, there are plenty of folks looking to go to the polls this year for the first time or return after a long hiatus.
We’ve got some important but easy-to-learn tips you need to know before voting in this year’s general election.
What’s on the ballot?
The midterm elections are called such because they take place halfway through a presidential administration and are often seen as a report card of sorts for whatever administration is in power at the time.
In this year’s statewide midterms, Nebraskans will select a US Senator, representatives for all three congressional districts, a governor and lieutenant governor (running together on what’s called a joint ticket), secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, and auditor of public accounts.
Other local offices are up for election, including state legislators in even-numbered districts and state Board of Education reps in odd-numbered districts. Check out the full map of what’s on the ballot here.
New political parties in Nebraska
When Nebraskans head to the polls or fill out their absentee ballots for this year’s midterm elections, they’re likely to notice some new party names in the mix.
On Aug. 7, the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office announced that two new political parties had successfully garnered the thousands of signatures needed to put candidates up for election on state ballots, as reported by Nebraska Public Media. That means in this year’s general election, the newly formed Nebraska Working People Party and the America First Party are each likely to field viable candidates.
Those two will join four other political parties that are allowed to run candidates in Nebraska: the Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, and Legal Marijuana NOW parties.
So let’s discuss what you’ll need to know before you get to that point.
How and when to register to vote in Nebraska
You can’t vote if you’re not registered, so be sure to check on your registration status while there’s still time to act on it. You can check your status and learn info about what districts you live in and where your polling place is located at this Voter Registration Portal.
If you need to register, you can do so at the same portal linked above, though this website will provide some more context before you start the process.
You may also register in person at your county election office, where you won’t need to bring anything with you, or at the DMV when applying for or renewing your driver’s license, for which you’ll need all the proper paperwork you would have needed for accomplishing that task.
You can also print out a voter registration application, available here, and send it to your local county election office (addresses are included on the application).
If it’s your first time registering to vote in Nebraska, be sure to include a copy of a current and valid photo ID or a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document dated within 60 days of the day you send the application. Be sure the document shows the same name and address provided on the voter registration application.
The third Friday preceding the election, Oct. 16, is the deadline to register to vote online or to postmark/mail your application if you want to participate in the general election on Nov. 3.
Participate in early voting
Early voting allows voters to beat the lines and vote ahead of time at a polling place, much like they would on Election Day.
You can vote at your county election office beginning on Sunday, Oct. 4, though most offices only offer voting during business hours on weekdays. Check with your county election office to see if they offer in-person early voting on the weekends.
Most counties will allow in-person early voting right up to Monday, Nov. 2, the day preceding Election Day.
Voting by mail
As a “no-excuse” state, any registered voter in Nebraska may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason.
You can apply for an absentee ballot by contacting your county election office by mail (or by fax if you’re old school). Or you can print an online application, complete the form, then mail it or take a picture of the completed application and email it to your county election office.
Applications for absentee ballots must be received (not sent) by 6 p.m. on the second Friday preceding the election, or Oct. 23.
The election office will mail you a ballot, which will arrive with instructions on how to cast your vote(s) and return the ballot in a pre-addressed envelope. The return envelope containing the ballots may be mailed back to your county election office; returned by personal delivery, an agent, or courier service to the county office; or dropped at an official drop box, which you can locate here.
Your ballot must be received by your local county election office by the closing of the polls on Election Day (8 p.m. Central Time/7 p.m. Mountain Time).
If all else fails or isn’t deemed necessary, you’re welcome to show up to your polling place on Election Day, Nov. 3, and follow the instructions of your local poll workers to cast your vote. Find your polling place at this Voter Registration Portal.
Important dates to know when voting in Nebraska
Sept. 29, 2026: Mail-in ballots sent out
Oct. 4, 2026: Early voting begins (Monday, Oct. 5 in most counties)
Oct. 16: 2026: Deadline to register to vote
Oct. 23, 2026: Deadline for election offices to receive absentee ballot applications
Nov. 2, 2026: Final day of early voting
Nov. 3, 2026: Election Day, deadline for election offices to receive absentee ballots
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