Key dates
January 2026
January 12
FIRST DAY
election offices can begin accepting early voting ballot requests for the May 12, 2026 primary election.
February 2026
February 17
5 pm CST
DEADLINE
for incumbents (any current office holder) to file for office on the May 12 primary election ballot.
March 2026
March 2
5 pm CST DEADLINE
for non-incumbents (new files) to file for office for the May 12 primary election.
March 8
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS
2 am CDT
April 2026
April 3
DEADLINE
for county clerks and election commissioners using secure dropboxes to open each dropbox for the May 12 primary election, which shall remain accessible to voters until the deadline for receipt of ballots.
April 6
FIRST DAY
counties are required to have voter-requested early-voting ballots for the May 12 primary election ready to deliver by mail.
April 13
FIRST DAY
Nebraskans can vote early in person in the May 12 primary election at their county clerk’s or county election commissioner’s office.
April 27
FINAL POSTMARK DATE
that county officials can accept a mailed-in voter registration for the May 12 primary election.
11:59 pm CDT
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
for online voter registrations to be completed in time to vote in the May 12 primary election.
May 2026
May 1
6 pm CDT
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
to register in person at a county election commission or county clerk’s office in time to vote in the May 12 primary election.
May 12, 2026
POLLS OPEN at 8 am CDT
POLLS CLOSE at 8 pm CDT
May 19
DEADLINE
to present valid photographic identification to the election commissioner or county clerk by a voter without a reasonable impediment who failed to present valid photographic identification at the time of voting.
June 2026
June 8
MEETING
of the Board of State Canvassers to certify the primary election results.
July 2026
July 2
5 pm CDT
DEADLINE
for filing initiative petitions with the Secretary of State for potential inclusion on the November 3 general election ballot.
September 2026
September 11
LAST DAY
for the Secretary of State to certify candidates, offices, and issues to be placed on the statewide ballot.
September 25
DEADLINE
for county clerks and election commissioners using secure dropboxes to open each dropbox in the November 3 general election, which shall remain accessible to voters until the deadline for receipt of ballots.
September 28
DEADLINE
for county election commissions to have early-voting ballots for the November 3 general election ready for mail delivery.
October 2026
October 5
FIRST DAY
Nebraskans can vote early in person at their county clerk’s or election commissioner’s office in the November 3 general election.
October 16
FINAL POSTMARK DATE
that county election officials can accept a mailed-in voter registration form for the November 3 general election.
11:59 pm CDT
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
for online voter registrations to be completed in time to vote in the November 3 general election.
October 23
6 pm CDT
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
to register in person at a county election commission or county clerk’s office in time to vote in the November 3 general election.
November 2026
November 1
STANDARD TIME BEGINS
2 am CST
November 2
LAST DAY
for early in-person voting at the county clerk’s or the election commissioner’s office in the November 3 general election.
November 3, 2026
POLLS OPEN at 8 am CST
POLLS CLOSE at 8 pm CST
November 10
DEADLINE
to present valid photographic identification to the election commissioner or county clerk by a voter without a reasonable impediment who failed to present valid photo ID at the time of voting.
November 30
MEETING
of the Board of State Canvassers to certify the election results.
December 2026
December 16
LAST DAY
for a petition to be filed in Lancaster County District Court contesting the election of constitutional amendments or statutes by initiative or referendum.
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