Nebraska Sample Ballot 2026: Every Candidate on Your November Ballot
All 2026 candidates by state →
Nebraska's 2026 ballot includes governor (Jim Pillen (R), Lynne Walz (D), Rick Beard (Legal Marijuana NOW), and 1 more); U.S. Senate (Pete Ricketts (R), Dan Osborn (I), Mike Marvin (Legal Marijuana NOW), and 2 more); 3 U.S. House districts. Browse tracked Nebraska jurisdictions, compare candidate profiles, and enter your ZIP code to see the exact races on your ballot.
- Primary Election
- May 12, 2026
- General Election
- Nov. 3, 2026
- Places Listed
- 5
- Profiles
- 81
Statewide
GovernorJim Pillen (R) · Lynne Walz (D) · Rick Beard (Legal Marijuana NOW) · Brett Lindstrom (America First)
Jim Pillen Republican Incumbent
- Deliver property-tax relief and conservative budgeting
- Support Nebraska agriculture and water resources
- Grow the state workforce and rural economy
Per the campaign site.
About Jim Pillen
Jim Pillen is Nebraska's incumbent governor and the Republican nominee for re-election in 2026, winning his May primary with about 76% of the vote. A veterinarian, hog producer, and former University of Nebraska regent from Columbus, his first term has emphasized property-tax relief, agriculture, water policy, and conservative budgeting.
Lynne Walz Democrat
- Create and attract good-paying jobs
- Support public schools and teachers
- Lower the cost of food, health care, and child care
Per the campaign site.
About Lynne Walz
Lynne Walz is the Democratic nominee for Nebraska governor, a former state senator from Fremont, former school board member, teacher, and realtor. She won the May 2026 Democratic primary with about 91% of the vote and is running a bipartisan-toned campaign focused on good-paying jobs, public schools, and lowering everyday costs for Nebraska families.
Rick Beard Legal Marijuana NOW
- Legalize and tax cannabis through a state-run business to fund property-tax relief
- Get corporate and PAC money out of Nebraska politics
- Uphold voter-approved initiatives on medical cannabis, wages, and sick leave
Per the campaign site.
About Rick Beard
Rick Beard is the Legal Marijuana NOW Party nominee for Nebraska governor, a former farmer, former wine shop owner, and longtime marijuana-legalization activist who takes no PAC or party money. His platform centers on a state-operated cannabis business to fund property-tax relief, removing corporate money from Nebraska politics, and upholding voter-approved initiatives like medical cannabis and minimum-wage increases.
Brett Lindstrom America First
Brett Lindstrom is the America First Party nominee for Nebraska governor, running with running mate Michael Picard of Omaha, a Navy veteran and director of a youth volleyball club, per the Nebraska Examiner. A former Nebraska state senator, Lindstrom filed with the Secretary of State on September 1, 2026 to appear on the November ballot on the America First line, per the Nebraska Examiner. His campaign describes a fiscal-policy platform it calls the "Nebraska Doctrine," per the Nebraska Examiner. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
U.S. SenatePete Ricketts (R) · Dan Osborn (I) · Mike Marvin (Legal Marijuana NOW) · Robin Richards (Nebraska Working People Party) · Chuck Conboy (America First Party)
Pete Ricketts Republican Incumbent
- Advance conservative fiscal and regulatory policy
- Support Nebraska agriculture, trade, and rural communities
- Strengthen border security and public safety
Per the campaign site.
About Pete Ricketts
Pete Ricketts is Nebraska's incumbent U.S. senator and the Republican nominee seeking his first full six-year term in 2026. A former two-term Nebraska governor and businessman, he was appointed to the Senate in 2023 and won the 2024 special election. His campaign emphasizes conservative fiscal policy, agriculture, border security, and Nebraska's low-tax business climate.
Dan Osborn I
- End dark money and ban congressional stock trading
- Represent working-class Nebraskans over party leadership
- Lower costs for families, farmers, and small businesses
Per the campaign site.
About Dan Osborn
Dan Osborn is an independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Nebraska, an industrial mechanic, Navy veteran, and former local union president who led the 2021 Kellogg's strike in Omaha. After a closer-than-expected 2024 run, he qualified for the 2026 ballot by petition in June 2026. His Nebraska Fairness Plan emphasizes anti-corruption reform, a congressional stock-trading ban, and working-class economic priorities.
Mike Marvin Legal Marijuana NOW
- Legalize marijuana in Nebraska and nationally
- Champion public employees and working families
- Bring five decades of labor organizing experience to federal policy
Per the campaign site.
About Mike Marvin
Mike Marvin suspended his U.S. Senate campaign on August 21, 2026, citing a worsening health condition, and endorsed nonpartisan candidate Dan Osborn; because Nebraska's deadline to withdraw from the general-election ballot passed on August 3, his name is still printed on the November 3 ballot, per the Nebraska Examiner and the Secretary of State's office. Marvin of Omaha is the Legal Marijuana NOW Party nominee, a bus driver in Omaha for 26 years and former executive director of the NAPE/AFSCME public-employees union, with five decades of organizing for working families. His platform centered on marijuana legalization and workers' rights.
Robin Richards Nebraska Working People Party
Robin Richards of Ralston is the chair of the Nebraska Working People Party and filed as its U.S. Senate candidate on September 1, 2026, the deadline for a newly recognized party to place candidates on the general-election ballot. The Nebraska Supreme Court cleared the party for recognition on August 26 and the Secretary of State certified it the same day; his office confirmed valid signatures for the party's filings. Her ballot status is reported by the Nebraska Examiner and is not yet on a certified Secretary of State list. No campaign website was found as of September 12, 2026.
Chuck Conboy America First Party
Chuck Conboy of Papillion filed as the America First Party's U.S. Senate candidate on September 1, 2026, the deadline for a newly recognized party to place candidates on the general-election ballot. The Nebraska Supreme Court cleared the party for recognition on August 26 and the Secretary of State certified it the same day; his office confirmed valid signatures for the party's five filings. His ballot status is reported by Nebraska Public Media and the Nebraska Examiner and is not yet on a certified Secretary of State list. No campaign website was found as of September 12, 2026.
Attorney GeneralMike Hilgers (R) · Jocelyn Brasher (D)
Mike Hilgers Republican Incumbent
- Strengthen public safety and law enforcement partnerships
- Protect consumers and pursue fraud enforcement
- Defend Nebraska laws and constitutional authority
Per the campaign site.
About Mike Hilgers
Mike Hilgers is Nebraska's incumbent attorney general and the Republican nominee for re-election in 2026, advancing unopposed from the May primary. A former speaker of the Nebraska Legislature and business founder, his office has emphasized consumer protection, public safety, opioid enforcement, and litigation defending Nebraska law.
Jocelyn Brasher Democrat
- Protect Nebraskans from fraud, scams, and unfair business practices
- Refocus the office on consumer protection over national litigation
- Support public safety and accountable law enforcement
Per the campaign site.
About Jocelyn Brasher
Jocelyn Brasher is the Democratic nominee for Nebraska attorney general and a former assistant Nebraska attorney general who spent five years in the office's Consumer Protection Bureau. If elected she would be the first woman to serve as Nebraska attorney general. Her campaign emphasizes consumer protection, fraud enforcement, and an office focused on Nebraskans rather than national politics.
Secretary Of StateScott Petersen (R) · Sarah Slattery (D) · Paul Rumbaugh (Nebraska Working People) · Bob Krist (America First)
Scott Petersen Republican
- Tighten election security, audits, and ballot chain of custody
- Restore voter confidence with transparent, verifiable results
- Modernize business filings and state services
Per the campaign site.
About Scott Petersen
Scott Petersen is the Republican nominee for Nebraska secretary of state, an Omaha businessman who won the Republican nomination over two-term incumbent Bob Evnen in May 2026. His campaign emphasizes election security, auditable election systems, ballot chain-of-custody rules, and modernizing state business services.
Sarah Slattery Democrat
- Defend Nebraska's secure, accessible election system
- Protect voter access, including mail voting options
- Support small businesses through efficient state services
Per the campaign site.
About Sarah Slattery
Sarah Slattery is the Democratic nominee for Nebraska secretary of state, a professional chef and small-business owner from Plattsmouth who serves on the Plattsmouth Bridge Commission and Library Board. If elected she would be Nebraska's first female secretary of state. Her campaign emphasizes defending Nebraska's existing election system, voter access, and practical service for businesses.
Paul Rumbaugh Nebraska Working People
Paul Rumbaugh, of Omaha, is the Nebraska Working People Party nominee for Nebraska secretary of state, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 17, 2026.
Bob Krist America First
Bob Krist, of Omaha, is the America First Party nominee for Nebraska secretary of state and a former Nebraska state senator, per the Nebraska Examiner. He was appointed to the Legislature as a Republican in 2009, was the 2018 Democratic nominee for governor, and rejoined the Republican Party in 2022 before filing with the America First Party for this race on September 1, 2026, per the Nebraska Examiner. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
TreasurerJoey Spellerberg (R) · Daniel Ebers (D)
Joey Spellerberg Republican Incumbent
- Return unclaimed property to Nebraskans
- Manage state funds conservatively and transparently
- Strengthen college-savings and financial programs
Per the campaign site.
About Joey Spellerberg
Joey Spellerberg is Nebraska's incumbent state treasurer and the Republican nominee for a first full term in 2026. The former mayor of Fremont, he was appointed treasurer in November 2025 after Tom Briese resigned, and has emphasized returning unclaimed property, sound management of state funds, and college-savings programs.
Daniel Ebers Democrat
- Provide accountable, transparent management of state funds
- Improve customer service in the treasurer's office
- Offer a Democratic alternative for statewide fiscal office
Per the campaign site.
About Daniel Ebers
Daniel Ebers is the Democratic nominee for Nebraska state treasurer, a hotel manager from Lincoln who was the party's 2024 nominee for U.S. House and a past county treasurer candidate. He advanced unopposed from the May 2026 Democratic primary, and his campaign emphasizes accountable management of state funds.
AuditorMike Foley (R) · John Knight (America First)
Mike Foley Republican Incumbent
- Audit state agencies and local governments for misspending
- Increase transparency of public funds
- Protect taxpayers through independent oversight
Per the campaign site.
About Mike Foley
Mike Foley is Nebraska's incumbent auditor of public accounts and the Republican nominee for re-election in 2026. A former lieutenant governor and state senator, he has served multiple nonconsecutive terms as auditor, with a record focused on uncovering misspending in state agencies and local governments.
John Knight America First
John Knight, of Clay Center, is the America First Party nominee for Nebraska auditor of public accounts, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 17, 2026.
Ballot measures
Ballot measures1 statewide measure on the 2026 ballot
1 statewide measure is on Nebraska's 2026 ballot.
Change State Legislative Term Limits from Two to Three Consecutive Terms AmendmentChange the legislative term limit from two consecutive four-year terms to three.Constitutional amendment (legislative referral)
All Nebraska ballot measures, explainedJudges
Judges1 tracked judges on the retention ballot
Retention questions are a yes-or-no vote on keeping a sitting judge.
Nebraska Court of Appeals
- Michael W. Pirtle
Your county
Choose your countyLocal races for 89 of 93 counties and 1 city
All 93 counties, A to Z
See your full ballot
Voting info and more
Voting info and more
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Dates below come from the Nebraska election office as of 2026-09-04; confirm on the official page or check your registration and polling place.
- Voter registration deadline
- online by Friday, October 16, 2026; by mail Friday, October 16, 2026; in person by Friday, October 23, 2026
- Early voting
- Monday, October 5, 2026 through Monday, November 2, 2026
- Mail ballot
- request by Friday, October 23, 2026, 6:00 p.m; return: Return in person, by agent, or secure ballot drop box: not later than the hour polls close, 8:00 p.m. Central / 7:00 p.m. Mountain, on Election Day, November 3, 2026; no excuse needed
- Election Day hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Time (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mountain Time in the Panhandle counties).
- Where to vote
- Find your polling place with the Nebraska election office's official lookup.
- ID at the polls
- Nebraska requires valid photographic identification to vote (established by LB514, in effect since the May 2024 primary); the ID may be expired. Acceptable forms include a Nebraska driver's license or state ID, a Nebraska postsecondary institution ID with name and photo, a facility 'face sheet' from an eligible care facility, a U.S. passport or other U.S.-issued photo document, or a tribal ID. Voters without ID may vote provisionally and have until the Tuesday after the election to present valid ID.
- Judges on the ballot
- 1 tracked judges on the retention ballot (yes or no on keeping each seat): see every judge on the Nebraska ballot
Who is running for governor of Nebraska in 2026?
The tracked 2026 candidates for governor of Nebraska are Jim Pillen (R), Lynne Walz (D), Rick Beard (Legal Marijuana NOW), Brett Lindstrom (America First). Candidate fields follow official election office filings; see the race card on this page for biographies and priorities.
Who is running for U.S. Senate in Nebraska in 2026?
The tracked 2026 U.S. Senate candidates in Nebraska are Pete Ricketts (R), Dan Osborn (I), Mike Marvin (Legal Marijuana NOW), Robin Richards (Nebraska Working People Party), Chuck Conboy (America First Party). Candidate fields follow official election office filings; see the race card on this page for biographies and priorities.
When is the Nebraska 2026 primary election?
Nebraska's 2026 state primary was held on May 12, 2026; the general election is November 3, 2026. Check your registration and polling place with your state election office.
When is the voter registration deadline in Nebraska for the November 2026 election?
To vote in Nebraska's November 3, 2026 general election, register online by Friday, October 16, 2026; by mail Friday, October 16, 2026; in person by Friday, October 23, 2026, per the state election office.
When does early voting start in Nebraska for the November 2026 election?
Early in-person voting in Nebraska runs Monday, October 5, 2026 through Monday, November 2, 2026, per the state election office.
What is the deadline to request a mail ballot in Nebraska for November 2026?
Nebraska mail ballots: request by Friday, October 23, 2026, 6:00 p.m; return: Return in person, by agent, or secure ballot drop box: not later than the hour polls close, 8:00 p.m. Central / 7:00 p.m. Mountain, on Election Day, November 3, 2026; no excuse needed, per the state election office.
Where do I vote in Nebraska in November 2026?
Polling places are assigned by address. Use the Nebraska election office's official lookup at https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections/general-voter-information to find yours; early-voting sites are listed there as well.
Which judges are on the Nebraska ballot in 2026?
1 appellate judges and justices appear on Nebraska's November 3, 2026 ballot: Michael W. Pirtle. Nebraska Supreme Court justices and Court of Appeals judges are appointed by the governor from a nominating commission's list and then must stand for a nonpartisan yes/no retention vote at the next general election after appointment and periodically thereafter; a majority yes vote retains the judge. Source: Nebraska Judicial Branch, https://nebraskajudicial.gov/administration/public/voters%E2%80%99-guide-nebraska%E2%80%99s-judicial-retention-elections/2026-judicial-retention-election
U.S. House candidates by district
Only one district is on your ballot; the link below finds yours by street address.
U.S. House - NE-1Mike Flood (R) · Chris Backemeyer (D) · Nik Sandman (L) · Dan Hartong (America First)
Mike Flood Republican Incumbent
- reducing taxes, including no tax on tips, overtime and Social Security
- border security
- cutting government spending and reducing the deficit
Per the campaign site.
About Mike Flood
Mike Flood is the Republican candidate for U.S. House in Nebraska's 1st District and the sitting representative, per his campaign site.
Chris Backemeyer Democrat
- Lower costs for families
- End corruption in government
Per the campaign site.
About Chris Backemeyer
Chris Backemeyer is the Democratic nominee for Nebraska's 1st Congressional District. He was born and raised in Lincoln, with family roots in Cass County, per his campaign site. He worked for the U.S. State Department for 20 years, focusing on counterterrorism, economic policy and Middle East relations, per Nebraska Public Media.
Nik Sandman L
Nik Sandman is the Libertarian nominee for Nebraska's 1st Congressional District. He is a retired farmer and rural mail carrier from Lincoln who holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, per the Nebraska Examiner. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
Dan Hartong America First
Dan Hartong is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nebraska's 1st Congressional District as the America First nominee, per the Nebraska Secretary of State's Final Statewide General Candidate List, certified September 11, 2026. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
U.S. House - NE-2Brinker Harding (R) · Denise Powell (D) · Eric Michael Foreman (L)
Brinker Harding Republican
- Economic growth paired with a balanced budget
- Support for public safety and police
- Infrastructure development through public-private partnerships
Per the campaign site.
About Brinker Harding
Brinker Harding is the Republican nominee for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. He has served on the Omaha City Council since 2017 and previously was chief of staff and director of economic development for Mayor Hal Daub from 1995 to 2000, per his campaign site.
Denise Powell Democrat
- Economic fairness, opposing tax breaks for billionaires and supporting working families with the cost of living
- Protecting Medicaid and senior benefits
- Defending public schools and the University of Nebraska system
Per the campaign site.
About Denise Powell
Denise Powell is the Democratic nominee for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. She describes herself as a mom, small business owner and former corporate executive who moved into community organizing supporting local candidates and public schools after 2016, per her campaign site.
Eric Michael Foreman L
- Restore accountability so that people, not parties or lobbyists, are in charge of government
Per questionnaire.
About Eric Michael Foreman
Eric Michael Foreman is the Libertarian candidate for U.S. House in Nebraska's 2nd District. He works in property management and maintenance and has previously worked in construction and food service, per his campaign site.
U.S. House - NE-3Adrian Smith (R) · Becky Kelly Stille (D) · David J. Else (Legal Marijuana NOW) · Macey Budke (Nebraska Working People) · Mark Cohen (I)
Adrian Smith Republican Incumbent
Adrian Smith represents Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House. Before Congress he worked as an educator and real estate agent and served on his hometown city council, per his congressional office. He represented District 48 in the Nebraska Legislature for eight years and now chairs the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
Becky Kelly Stille Democrat
- Protect family farms
- Expand rural health care access, including funding rural hospitals and lowering prescription drug costs
- Support veterans
Per the campaign site.
About Becky Kelly Stille
Becky Kelly Stille is the Democratic nominee for Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District. She earned a degree in accounting and spent 20 years in the agricultural industry, working as an accounting clerk, lab technician, quality manager and production supervisor, per her campaign site.
David J. Else Legal Marijuana NOW
David J. Else is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District as the Legal Marijuana NOW nominee, per the Nebraska Secretary of State's Final Statewide General Candidate List, certified September 11, 2026. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
Macey Budke Nebraska Working People
Macey Budke is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District as the Nebraska Working People nominee, per the Nebraska Secretary of State's Final Statewide General Candidate List, certified September 11, 2026. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
Mark Cohen I
- agriculture policy
- rural healthcare access
- rural-focused policymaking
Per the campaign site.
About Mark Cohen
Mark Cohen is an independent candidate for U.S. House in Nebraska's 3rd District. He is a former U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate who later practiced law in Omaha during the farm crisis, taught legal writing at the University of Arkansas School of Law, and holds a law degree from the University of Colorado and a master's degree in agricultural and food law, per his campaign site. He is also a karate instructor in Ogallala, Nebraska.