LINCOLN — The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office has published the calendar for the 2026 election that includes key dates to know for voters and also for candidates running next year.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen’s office released the calendar Monday after Attorney General Mike Hilgers reviewed and approved that it followed state law.

The state’s 2026 primary election is May 12. The general election is Nov. 3.

Candidates seeking to run in the 2026 cycle can file beginning Jan. 5. Current officeholders for offices on the primary ballot must declare by Feb. 17, while non-incumbents have until March 2. The deadline for a prospective candidate to change their party affiliation before filing for a partisan election is Dec. 5.

The 2026 election cycle includes all six statewide constitutional officers, one of five seats on the Nebraska Public Service Commission, two of eight seats on the University of Nebraska, four of eight seats on the Nebraska State Board of Education and 24 of 49 seats for the Nebraska Legislature. One U.S. Senate seat and all three U.S. House seats will also be on the ballot.

“Being able to vote or run for an office is of critical importance to Nebraska citizens,” Evnen said in a statement. “My office works very hard to ensure every Nebraska citizen has an opportunity to participate in elections either as a candidate, a voter, or both.

Among 2026 election dates to know:

Jan. 5 — First day someone can file for the 2026 ballot.

Feb. 17 — Last day for any current officeholder to file for the primary election.

March 2 — Last day for non-officeholders to file for the primary election.

March 20 — Deadline for the secretary of state to certify the primary election ballot.

May 1 — Final day for write-in candidates to request counting of votes or withdraw consideration, final day for in-person voter registration for the primary election and last day for absentee voting application to be submitted for the primary election.

May 12 — Statewide primary election.

June 8 — Board of State Canvassers meets to certify the primary election results.

July 2 — Deadline for citizen-led ballot measures to submit petition signatures.

July 15 — Last day for any current officeholder to file for the general election for an office not on the primary election (boards for certain public power districts, reclamation districts, educational service units, county weed districts, townships and villages).

Aug. 3 — Last day for non-incumbents to file for the general election for an office not on the primary election and for judges to confirm whether they’ll seek retention. Final day for primary election-nominated candidates to withdraw from the ballot.

Sept. 11 — Deadline for the secretary of state to certify the general election ballot.

Oct. 23 — Final day for write-in candidates to declare for office or withdraw consideration, final day for in-person voter registration for the general election and last day for mail-in voting application to be submitted for the general election.

Nov. 3 — Statewide general election.

Nov. 30 — Board of State Canvassers meets to certify the primary election results.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/dates-to-know-for-the-2026-election-...