How to Vote in Nebraska's 2022 Elections

En español | Nebraska’s Nov. 8 general election will decide races for U.S. House, the state legislature, several state high courts and various state executive positions, including governor. A special election for the 1st Congressional District was held on June 28 to fill the seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, who resigned following his conviction by a federal jury. Voters elected Mike Flood to serve the remainder of Fortenberry’s term on June 28, but during the Nov. 8 general election they will elect who represents the 1st District in Congress beginning in January. The state’s primary was held on May 10.

• Absentee voting: Any registered voter can request an early-voting (absentee) ballot, no reason or excuse required.

• Early in-person voting: The option to vote early and in person begins Tuesday, Oct. 11, and ends Monday, Nov. 7.

• In-person voting on Election Day: The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT.

A redistricting plan has changed certain boundaries of some state legislative and U.S. congressional districts and may affect which candidates appear on your ballot. 

• U.S. House: all three seats
  
  • 1st District: incumbent Mike Flood (R), Patty Pansing Brooks (D)
  • 2nd District: incumbent Don Bacon (R), Tony Vargas (D)
  • 3rd District: incumbent Adrian Smith (R), David Else (D)
• Governor: Carol Blood (D), Jim Pillen (R), Scott Zimmerman (L)
• State legislature: 24 of 49 seats

• Online: If you have a driver’s license or a state ID card issued by Nebraska, use the state’s online voter registration portal.

• By mail: Print out the voter registration application from the secretary of state’s website or pick one up at any Department of Motor Vehicles office or at most libraries, post offices and state public assistance offices. Mail the completed application to your county election office. First-class postage is required. If you're registering for the first time by mail, you must include a copy of either a current photo ID or a recent utility bill, bank statement or government document showing your name and address. A full list of acceptable forms of ID is in the secretary of state's voter registration guide.

• In person: Visit your county election office or register when renewing or applying for a driver’s license at the DMV. Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education also let you register when filing new applications, renewals, recertifications and changes of address.

Registration applications submitted online must be sent by Friday, Oct. 21. The deadline to postmark a mailed application is also Oct. 21. If you register when applying for or renewing your driver’s license at the DMV, or at a state agency, that deadline, too, is Oct. 21. But if you visit your county election office, you can register in person up until 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28.

You can check and update your registration information by visiting Nebraska's voter information center.

Any registered Nebraska voter can request a mail-in or absentee ballot; no reason is required. The early-voting ballot application can be downloaded online, picked up at your county election office or requested through your county election office by mail, fax, email or phone.

You can mail, email, fax or drop off your early-voting ballot application to your county election office; it must be received by 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28. More information about the early-voting ballot process is on the secretary of state’s website.

To cast your completed absentee or early-voting ballot, it must be returned to your county election office by 8 p.m. CT or 7 p.m. MT on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8. You or anyone acting on your behalf as an “agent” can mail the ballot, bring it into your county election office or place it in a secure drop box at your county election office or another location, if applicable. Drop boxes should be available 24/7 up until the close of the polls on election night, but check with your county election office to confirm drop box locations and availability.

Yes. Nebraska maintains an online voter portal that allows voters to track their absentee ballots.

You should be able to during normal business hours at your county election office from Tuesday, Oct. 11, to Monday, Nov. 7. But check with your county election office, as hours may vary by location.

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT. You must vote at your designated polling place, which can be found via the state's online voter information center or by contacting your county election office.

If you live in a county that does all-mail voting, meaning there are no polling places, you should be able to cast a ballot in person at your county election office.

Not unless you’re a first-time voter who registered by mail and did not include a copy of your ID or address verification.

Editor’s note: This guide was updated on July 29, 2022, with information about the general election. The guide was first published on Aug. 3, 2020.

• Follow AARP’s political coverage at aarp.org/elections
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at aarp.org/ne
• Text NEVOTES to 22777 to receive a one-time text message with a link to Nebraska voter information. Message and data rates may apply. Terms apply: https://aarp.info/tcady