Elections
Nebraska 2026 Primary Election: Date, Rules & What to Know
The Nebraska 2026 congressional primary was held on May 12, 2026. General Election Day is November 3, 2026.
Live on Congress Countdown
See Nebraska's current congressional delegation
Term end dates, party breakdown, and which seats are on the November ballot.
Nebraska U.S. Senate Primary — Results
Independent Dan Osborn — who ran a competitive 2024 race — is again on the November ballot; Democratic nominee Cindy Burbank has signaled she may stand aside for him.
November nominees
These two face off on November 3, 2026 in a single-winner plurality contest.
Competitive U.S. House Races
Nebraska has 1 U.S. House district rated a toss-up for 2026 (rating: Cook Political Report (June 2026)). These are among the seats most likely to decide control of the House.
NE-2
Toss-upIncumbent: Don Bacon (R) — retiring; open seat
November ballotBrinker Harding (R) vs Denise Powell (D)
SourceGeneral Election · November 3, 2026
What's on the Nebraska 2026 Ballot
U.S. House of Representatives
All U.S. House seats in Nebraska are on the 2026 ballot. Every House member runs for re-election every two years. View Nebraska representatives →
U.S. Senate — Class II Seat
Nebraska's Class II Senate seat is up for election in 2026. The current senator is Pete Ricketts (R). Class II senators were last elected in 2020 and serve six-year terms.
Nebraska's Primary System: Partisan Closed Primary
Nebraska holds a closed primary, meaning you must be registered with a political party to vote in that party's primary. Independent and unaffiliated voters cannot participate unless they re-register with a party before the registration deadline.
Nebraska 2026 Election Key Dates
| May 12, 2026 | Primary Election (passed) |
| October 2026 | Voter registration deadlines (check your state) |
| November 3, 2026 | General Election |
| January 3, 2027 | 120th Congress convenes |
Voter Registration in Nebraska
You must be registered with a political party to vote in that party's primary. Independent/unaffiliated voters cannot participate unless they re-register before the deadline. Registration deadlines vary — most states require registration 15–30 days before the primary, though some offer same-day registration.
Check your registration status and find your polling place at vote.gov.
See All State Primary Dates
Compare Nebraska's primary to other states' 2026 schedules.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Nebraska 2026 U.S. Senate primary?
Pete Ricketts won the Republican nomination with 81.5% of the vote, and Cindy Burbank won the Democratic nomination with 89.6%. They advance to the general election on November 3, 2026.
Who is running for U.S. Senate in Nebraska in November 2026?
The November 3, 2026 ballot features Pete Ricketts (R) vs Cindy Burbank (D) vs Dan Osborn (I) for Nebraska's U.S. Senate seat.
When is the Nebraska primary election in 2026?
The Nebraska 2026 congressional primary is May 12, 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026.
Can I vote in the Nebraska primary if I'm not registered with a party?
You must be registered with a political party to vote in that party's primary. Independent/unaffiliated voters cannot participate unless they re-register before the deadline.
What is on the Nebraska 2026 primary ballot?
All U.S. House seats in Nebraska are on the 2026 primary ballot. Additionally, the U.S. Senate seat (Class II) is up for election. The current senator is Pete Ricketts (R). Many states also hold primaries for governor and state legislature on the same day.
What type of primary does Nebraska use?
Nebraska holds a closed primary, meaning you must be registered with a political party to vote in that party's primary. Independent and unaffiliated voters cannot participate unless they re-register with a party before the registration deadline.
When is the Nebraska voter registration deadline for the 2026 primary?
Voter registration deadlines vary but are typically 15–30 days before the primary. Because Nebraska has a closed primary, you must also be registered with a party before the deadline to vote in a party primary. Check the Nebraska Secretary of State website or vote.gov for the exact deadline.
When is the Nebraska general election in 2026?
The 2026 general election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. This date is the same for all 50 states — it is always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
Which U.S. House races in Nebraska are competitive in 2026?
Nebraska has 1 U.S. House district rated a toss-up by Cook Political Report (June 2026). Decided November matchups: NE-2 (Brinker Harding (R) vs Denise Powell (D)).