VOTE BLUE

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.

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 mail, fax, or scan/take a picture of you 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. Voting by mail is easy and secure. Your ballot will be mailed to you.

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.

Voting Links

Check to see if you are registered to vote

Find your polling place (where you go on Election Day to vote)

Vote By Mail Application

Find your County Election office (where you can do the following: register to vote, request to vote by mail, vote early)

Spanish Versions of Election Forms

PRIMARY ELECTION CRITICAL DATES

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 or update voter registration in-person and the last day to turn in a vote-by-mail application at your county election office

Democrats, unlike Republicans, welcome Independents to vote in ALL of our primary elections.

EARLY VOTING BALLOT (aka VOTE-BY-MAIL) 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.

Independent voters can write on the Vote-by-Mail application that they want a Democratic Ballot mailed to them.

May 1, 2026 (by 6 p.m.): Last Day the Vote-by-Mail Applications are accepted at your county election office

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).

GET MORE EARLY VOTING BALLOT INFO HERE

FIND THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES HERE

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 ON ELECTION DAY

Election Day Voting

May 12, 2026: Election Day

Find your Polling Location HERE

VOTING IN PERSON ID

Present an acceptable form of photo ID
OR present reasonable impediment certification
OR vote provisionally

VOTING BY MAIL ID

Write driver’s license or state ID number on the early voting application
OR enclose a photocopy of acceptable form of ID
OR enclose a photocopy of reasonable impediment certification

HOW TO GET A FREE ID

Voters can get a free state ID for voting purposes at your local Nebraska DMV. You need to bring documents confirming your identity (birth certificate) and your address when applying for a state ID.

To find more information about getting a state ID, click here.
To find your local DMV office, click here.
If you need a free copy of your Nebraska birth certificate, contact the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records.

The Secretary of State’s office updated the Voter ID English and Spanish brochures in November 2023.
For the best print, select “Fit” under Page Sizing and Handling. Select “Print on both sides of paper” and “Flip on short edge.” Under page orientation, select “landscape.”

Disability Voting Rights

Voters with disabilities can use the accessible ballot marking device to vote early by scheduling an appointment with the Scotts Bluff County Election Office. All count election offices are closed to the public, so you must call ahead to schedule an appointment.

Those with disabilities, whether physical or intellectual, have the right to vote however access can be a challenge. You have the right to request your ballot by mail and if you choose to vote in person, the polling location, by law, should be ADA accessible. Below are some additional resources:

Disability Rights Nebraska

The Arc of Nebraska

Guardianship and Voting in Nebraska

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.

Living Overseas?

Democrats Abroad help Nebraskans living overseas vote. Get all the information you need to vote abroad here.

Military Voters

Nebraska Information

Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

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.