2026 Nebraska Primary Election: Races, registration and important dates

START LOOKING AT EVIDENCE AND DETERMINE IF A CRIME WAS COMMITTED. COMMITMENT IN 2026 COVERAGE. NOW MOST PEOPLE VOTE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT 18 YEARS OLD. AND IN NEBRASKA, YOUNG ADULTS ARE ABLE TO REGISTER AT 17 KETV NEWSWATCH 7 SAMANTHA PASTORINO BREAKS DOWN THE DETAILS OF THE NEBRASKA LAW. WELL, WE ARE JUST ABOUT FIVE MONTHS AWAY FROM THE PRIMARY ELECTION, AND THE DOUGLAS COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION IS REMINDING THE YOUNG ADULTS, NEBRASKA, THAT THEY CAN REGISTER AS YOUNG AS 17. STATE LAW ALLOWS THAT IF YOU TURN 18 BY THE TIME OF THE GENERAL ELECTION IN THE FALL, WHICH IS NOVEMBER 3RD THIS YEAR, THAT YOU CAN REGISTER TO VOTE AT 17 AND YOU CAN VOTE IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION EVEN IF YOU’RE 17 YEARS OLD. EDDIE NEBRASKAN, WHO IS A US CITIZEN, CAN MAKE THAT CHOICE TO REGISTER AT 17. IT’S SOMETHING DOUGLAS COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSIONER DANIELLE JENSEN SAYS IS A GREAT WAY FOR EMERGING ADULTS TO GET INVOLVED. IT WILL IMPACT THEM IN THE FUTURE. A LOT OF STUDENTS, A LOT OF EMERGING ADULTS DON’T REALIZE THAT, HEY, DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE NOW CAN AFFECT ME 30 YEARS FROM NOW. YOU KNOW, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAKES CHANGES TO SOCIAL SECURITY. HOW IS THAT GOING TO AFFECT THEM WHEN THEY COME FOR RETIREMENT AGE? IT’S ALSO SOMETHING JENSEN HAS A PERSONAL PASSION ABOUT BECAUSE BEFORE SHE WAS ELECTION COMMISSIONER, JENSEN REGISTERED TO VOTE AT 17. I REMEMBER THAT WE REGISTERED AS PART OF OUR CLASS WHEN I WAS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL. I REMEMBER FEELING IMMENSE SENSE OF PRIDE, KNOWING THAT I COULD BE MAKING AN IMPACT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME BY PARTICIPATING IN THE VOTING PROCESS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE WAYS TO REGISTER. YOU CAN EITHER COME HERE IN PERSON TO THE DOUGLAS COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION, OR YOU CAN REGISTER ONLINE. THERE’S A LINK TO THAT IN THIS STOR

Nebraska 2026 Primary Election: Races, registration and important dates

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Updated: 6:00 AM CST Jan 29, 2026

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Omaha’s News Leader is tracking everything you need to know for Commitment 2026.KETV NewsWatch 7 has a comprehensive guide on every race, key issues, need-to-know questions and more so that you’re prepared for primary and general election day.Nebraska’s primary will take place on Tuesday, May 12, and will include a U.S. Senate seat, the state’s three representatives in Congress, legislative seats and more. Polls open at 8 a.m. CST and 7 a.m. MST.Commitment 2026: The top midterm races to watchWhere Can I Vote?POLLING PLACES: DOUGLAS | SARPY | WASHINGTON | DODGE | SAUNDERS | CASS | LANCASTERWhich statewide offices are up for election?U.S. Senate (six-year term)United States representatives in Congress (two-year terms)Governor and lieutenant governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, Auditor (four-year terms)Nebraska Legislature (four-year terms for even-numbered districts)State Board of Education (four-year terms for Districts 5, 6, 7, 8)University of Nebraska Board of Regents (six-year terms for Districts 1, 2)Public Service Commissioner (six-year term for District 2)» Download the free KETV app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play Bacon retiring at the end of 2026 termDon Bacon, Nebraska’s longtime District 2 representative, is retiring at the end of his term.Bacon has held Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District seat since 2017 when he defeated Brad Ashford, becoming the only Republican to defeat an incumbent Democrat in the 2016 U.S. House of Representatives elections.The five-term congressman and former Air Force general is known for being a moderate in Washington.He’s won Nebraska’s "blue dot" while those same voters have picked Democratic presidential candidates.Early voting drop box locationsDouglas County Election Commission, 12220 W Center Road, OmahaCity/County Building, 1819 Farnam Street, OmahaSouth Omaha Library, 2808 Q Street, OmahaCharles B. Washington Branch Library, 2868 Ames Avenue, OmahaClarkson College Parking Lot 8, 42nd & Farnam Street, OmahaAsian Market, 321 N 76th Street, OmahaRalston Police Department, 7400 Main Street, RalstonGoodwill, 4805 N 72nd Street, OmahaMilton R. Abrahams Branch Library, 5111 N 90th Street, OmahaDouglas County Engineer’s Office, 15505 W Maple Road, OmahaMillard Public Schools Foundation, 5231 South 159th Avenue, OmahaSpring Ridge Shopping Center, 178th & Pacific Street, OmahaBess Johnson Elkhorn Branch Library, 2100 Reading Plaza, ElkhornVoter ID law in Nebraska If you’re voting in person this year, the Douglas County Election Commissioner says to have a driver’s license or state ID with you. If you don’t have one of those, you can get a photocopy of other official IDs.According to the Nebraska Secretary of State, these are the acceptable forms of ID:Nebraska driver’s license or state IDPassportMilitary IDTribal IDHospital, assisted living or nursing home recordNebraska political subdivision (state, county, city, school, etc.)Nebraska college or university IDThey also can be expired, but identification cards from private entities won’t work.If you’re voting by mail, you’ll now have to write your driver’s license number or your state ID number on the form when you request a ballot.Mail-in voting vs. AbsenteeNebraska is a "no-excuse" state, which means a registered voter can request an early-voting (absentee) ballot and is not required to provide a reason.Absentee is normally used to describe a ballot that is sent to a voter outside of a polling place.According to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s website, Nebraskans can apply for an early-voting ballot by contacting your county election office: "You can print an online early voting application, complete the form, and then mail, fax or scan/take a picture of your application and email it to your county election office. The last day for an early-voting application to be received is 6 p.m. on the second Friday preceding the election."The county election offices will accept early voting applications up to 120 days prior to the election.Early voting ballots will not be sent out until at least 35 days before the primary or general election. All early-voting ballots must be received by the close of polls on election day.What if I’ve moved?If you’ve moved within the same county and congressional district, you may update your address at your polling location.If you’re moved within the state but to a new county and/or congressional district, you have to update your address with your new county clerk before Election Day. If you’re new to the state, you need to register to vote.If you didn’t do this, you will be asked to fill out a provisional ballot.When can I vote?The Nebraska primary is Tuesday, May 12. Polls open at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. If you’re still in line when the polls close, you should be allowed to cast your ballot.What about absentee ballots?Nebraskans can apply for an early-voting ballot by contacting your county election office. The county election offices will accept early-voting applications up to 120 days prior to the election. If you mailed your ballot, it must arrive at the county clerk’s office by end of business on Election Day.Can I see a sample ballot?Yes! Fill in your registration information at the Nebraska secretary of state’s website. You’ll be able to click through to see a sample of the ballot you’ll see when you vote.Which districts do I live in?Fill in your registration information at the Nebraska secretary of state’s website. You’ll be provided with a list of the various election districts you live in.What if I have problems at the polls?If you have any issues at the polls, you are asked to contact an election supervisor at your polling place. The supervisor can get in touch with the election office for advice.You can reach KETV NewsWatch 7 at 402-978-8954 or news@ketv.com.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

OMAHA, Neb. —

Omaha’s News Leader is tracking everything you need to know for Commitment 2026.

KETV NewsWatch 7 has a comprehensive guide on every race, key issues, need-to-know questions and more so that you’re prepared for primary and general election day.

Nebraska’s primary will take place on Tuesday, May 12, and will include a U.S. Senate seat, the state’s three representatives in Congress, legislative seats and more. Polls open at 8 a.m. CST and 7 a.m. MST.

Commitment 2026: The top midterm races to watch

Where Can I Vote?

Which statewide offices are up for election?

U.S. Senate (six-year term)
United States representatives in Congress (two-year terms)
Governor and lieutenant governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, Auditor (four-year terms)
Nebraska Legislature (four-year terms for even-numbered districts)
State Board of Education (four-year terms for Districts 5, 6, 7, 8)
University of Nebraska Board of Regents (six-year terms for Districts 1, 2)
Public Service Commissioner (six-year term for District 2)

**» Download the free KETV app to get updates on the go: Apple | **Google Play

Bacon retiring at the end of 2026 term

Don Bacon, Nebraska’s longtime District 2 representative, is retiring at the end of his term.

Bacon has held Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District seat since 2017 when he defeated Brad Ashford, becoming the only Republican to defeat an incumbent Democrat in the 2016 U.S. House of Representatives elections.

The five-term congressman and former Air Force general is known for being a moderate in Washington.

He’s won Nebraska’s "blue dot" while those same voters have picked Democratic presidential candidates.

Early voting drop box locations

Douglas County Election Commission, 12220 W Center Road, Omaha
City/County Building, 1819 Farnam Street, Omaha
South Omaha Library, 2808 Q Street, Omaha
Charles B. Washington Branch Library, 2868 Ames Avenue, Omaha
Clarkson College Parking Lot 8, 42nd & Farnam Street, Omaha
Asian Market, 321 N 76th Street, Omaha
Ralston Police Department, 7400 Main Street, Ralston
Goodwill, 4805 N 72nd Street, Omaha
Milton R. Abrahams Branch Library, 5111 N 90th Street, Omaha
Douglas County Engineer’s Office, 15505 W Maple Road, Omaha
Millard Public Schools Foundation, 5231 South 159th Avenue, Omaha
Spring Ridge Shopping Center, 178th & Pacific Street, Omaha
Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch Library, 2100 Reading Plaza, Elkhorn

Voter ID law in Nebraska

If you’re voting in person this year, the Douglas County Election Commissioner says to have a driver’s license or state ID with you. If you don’t have one of those, you can get a photocopy of other official IDs.

According to the Nebraska Secretary of State, these are the acceptable forms of ID:

Nebraska driver’s license or state ID
Passport
Military ID
Tribal ID
Hospital, assisted living or nursing home record
Nebraska political subdivision (state, county, city, school, etc.)
Nebraska college or university ID

They also can be expired, but identification cards from private entities won’t work.

If you’re voting by mail, you’ll now have to write your driver’s license number or your state ID number on the form when you request a ballot.

Mail-in voting vs. Absentee

Nebraska is a "no-excuse" state, which means a registered voter can request an early-voting (absentee) ballot and is not required to provide a reason.

Absentee is normally used to describe a ballot that is sent to a voter outside of a polling place.

According to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s website, Nebraskans can apply for an early-voting ballot by contacting your county election office: "You can print an online early voting application, complete the form, and then mail, fax or scan/take a picture of your application and email it to your county election office. The last day for an early-voting application to be received is 6 p.m. on the second Friday preceding the election."

The county election offices will accept early voting applications up to 120 days prior to the election.

Early voting ballots will not be sent out until at least 35 days before the primary or general election. All early-voting ballots must be received by the close of polls on election day.

What if I’ve moved?

If you’ve moved within the same county and congressional district, you may update your address at your polling location.

If you’re moved within the state but to a new county and/or congressional district, you have to update your address with your new county clerk before Election Day. If you’re new to the state, you need to register to vote.

If you didn’t do this, you will be asked to fill out a provisional ballot.

When can I vote?

The Nebraska primary is Tuesday, May 12. Polls open at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. If you’re still in line when the polls close, you should be allowed to cast your ballot.

What about absentee ballots?

Nebraskans can apply for an early-voting ballot by contacting your county election office. The county election offices will accept early-voting applications up to 120 days prior to the election. If you mailed your ballot, it must arrive at the county clerk’s office by end of business on Election Day.

Can I see a sample ballot?

Yes! Fill in your registration information at the Nebraska secretary of state’s website. You’ll be able to click through to see a sample of the ballot you’ll see when you vote.

Which districts do I live in?

Fill in your registration information at the Nebraska secretary of state’s website. You’ll be provided with a list of the various election districts you live in.

What if I have problems at the polls?

If you have any issues at the polls, you are asked to contact an election supervisor at your polling place. The supervisor can get in touch with the election office for advice.

You can reach KETV NewsWatch 7 at 402-978-8954 or news@ketv.com.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.