BUILDING DEMOCRACY WITH EVERY VOTE
SUPPORT VOTER PARTICIPATION
A strong democracy is centered around community power. Every Nebraskan — regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, or ability — must have the opportunity and be empowered to play an active role in building a democracy that creates positive change in our communities, during the election cycle and beyond.
To do this, we work with community partners across the state to build the power of participation. Contact Ruby and César with questions or to get involved!
RUBY MÉNDEZ LÓPEZ
She/Her/Ella
Community Organizer
Immigrants & Communities
rmendezlopez@neappleseed.org
402-438-8853 x107
CÉSAR GARCÍA
He/Him/His
Community Organizer
Immigrants & Communities
cgarcia@neappleseed.org
402-438-8853 x124
VOTER ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Be a resident of Nebraska
- Be 18 years old on or before Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- All voters will be required to show a photo ID either in person or by mail.
- To vote in the May 12th primary, you must be registered by May 1st, 2026.
VOTER ID
STARTING APRIL 1, 2024, NEBRASKA VOTERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRESENT VALID PHOTO IDENTIFICATION IN ORDER TO VOTE
Here’s what you need to know:
The new voter ID law does NOT change Nebraska’s existing voter registration process.
If you are already registered to vote, you do NOT need to re-register.
ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF ID:
ID must have the voter’s name and photo. IDs can be expired.
UNDER THE NEW LAW, YOU CAN USE AN ID ISSUED BY:
- the federal government, including a U.S. passport.
- the State of Nebraska, such as a driver’s license or state-issued ID.
- any Nebraska college or university.
- local governments within the State of Nebraska.
- the U.S. military, or IDs for veterans.
- Native tribes.
- patient records with photos from nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals.
POPULAR TYPES OF IDs THAT ARE NOT ACCEPTED INCLUDE:
- out-of-state driver’s licenses and state IDs.
- photo IDs from out-of-state educational institutions.
- any ID without a photo, such as a Social Security card.
EXCEPTIONS:
- If you have a reasonable impediment that prevents your access to a photo ID, you may complete a “reasonable impediment certificate” that identifies your impediment and exempts you from the ID requirement.
- ‘Reasonable impediments’ include disabilities or religious objections
- Contact your local county election office for more information
HOW TO VOTE WITH VOTER ID:
IN PERSON:
Present an acceptable form of photo ID or a reasonable impediment certificate at the polls.
EARLY IN OFFICE:
Present an acceptable form of photo ID or a reasonable impediment certificate at the office.
BY MAIL:
Write driver’s license or state ID number on early voting application or include a copy of acceptable form of photo ID or a reasonable impediment certificate.
FORGOT YOUR ID:
If you forget your ID when casting your ballot you will fill out a provisional ballot.
For your ballot to count, you will need to present an acceptable form of photo ID or a reasonable impediment certificate to your county election office or county clerk on or before the Tuesday after the election.
CAN’T AFFORD AN ID:
You can get a free state ID for voting from the DMV.
- You will need to present a copy of your birth certificate other identifying documents to your local DMV office
The new law also waives the costs of one copy of a birth certificate for Nebraska residents via the state Department of Health and Human Services.
REGISTER TO VOTE:
TO VOTE IN THE May 12TH Primary ELECTION YOU MUST REGISTER BY May 1st 2026
ONLINE
Have your Nebraska driver’s license or state-issued ID card ready to register online.
BY MAIL
Complete and return the Voter Registration Form by mail or leave it at your local county election office drop box. Ensure that you write your driver’s license or state ID number on the application or enclose a photocopy of acceptable form of ID.
IN-PERSON
At the Department of Motor Vehicles or at your local county election office. Check if an appointment is necessary!
A voter registration card will be mailed to you when your registration has been accepted. Contact your county election office if you don’t receive it within 10 days. Check your registration status online at Voter Check.
Situations where a person needs to register again:
- Any change of name or address since their last registration
- Changing political affiliation
WAYS TO VOTE:
VOTE EARLY FROM HOME!
Download and complete this form to request an Early Voting Ballot to vote in the general election. Return the completed ballot request form to your county election office by
- Mail or
- Drop off at your county dropbox.
Voter ID reminder: All voters must write their driver’s license or state ID number on the early voting application OR enclose a photocopy of an acceptable form of ID (or a reasonable impediment certificate).
Best Practice: Mail your completed request form by April 27th to ensure it arrives on time or return the form by email to your county election office by close of business on May 1st, 2026.
RETURN YOUR BALLOT
Ballots are mailed out starting April 27th, 2026 for the general election. All early voting ballots must be returned to your county election office. Please do not return your ballot to your polling place.
BY MAIL:
- Place your completed ballot in the return envelope, add postage, and don’t forget to sign your envelope.
- To ensure your ballot is received on time, mail your ballot by Tuesday, May 5th, 2026. Your county election office must receive your ballot by Tuesday, May 12th, 2026.
DROP OFF AT YOUR LOCAL COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE:
- Return your completed ballot by Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 at 8 pm CT / 7 pm MT. No stamp or postage necessary, but don’t forget to sign the envelope!
LOST OR DAMAGED BALLOT
You can request a replacement ballot from your county election office before April 27th, 2026. After that, you will need to go pick up the replacement ballot from the county election office. The easiest way to get a replacement ballot is to call and request one from your county election office. They will guide you through the next steps.
VOTE EARLY IN-PERSON
You can vote early in person at your county election office between April 13th, 2026 and May 11th, 2026. Check hours and the location of your county election office.
Voter ID Reminder: Bring an acceptable form of photo ID (or a reasonable impediment certificate) or you will have to vote provisionally.
VOTE IN-PERSON ON ELECTION DAY:
You can vote in person on election day: Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 Polls are open from 8 am to 8 pm CT / 7 am to 7 pm MT. Find your polling place.
Voter ID Reminder: Bring an acceptable form of photo ID or you will have to vote provisionally.
2026 Primary ELECTION IMPORTANT DATES
FIRST DAY TO REQUEST EARLY VOTING BALLOT
Complete this form to request an Early Voting Ballot to vote in the general election.
FIRST DAY TO VOTE EARLY IN-PERSON
Check for the hours and location of your county election office.
LAST DAY TO REGISTER ONLINE TO VOTE
It’s also the postmark deadline for the mailed-in voter registration form.
LAST DAY TO REQUEST AN EARLY VOTING BALLOT u0026amp; IN-PERSON VOTER REGISTRATION
Complete this form to request an Early Voting Ballot to vote in the General Election.
RECOMMENDED LAST DAY TO MAIL-IN EARLY VOTING BALLOT
Place your completed ballot in the return envelope, add postage, and don’t forget to sign your envelope.
LAST DAY TO VOTE EARLY IN-PERSON
Check for the hours and location of your county election office.
ELECTION DAY!
Polls are open from 8 am to 8 pm CT / 7 am to 7 pm MT.
Find your polling place!
BUILDING COMMUNITY POWER
There’s Power in Participation! 2026 elections determine many local offices like school board, sheriff, and county commissioners and supervisors. These local offices make decisions for our communities that impact our daily lives. 2026 elections also include state and federal offices like state senators and members of Congress. Join local partners across the state in sharing information about voting and building community power!
