Nebraska Examiner launches 2026 General Election Voter Guide

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Examiner has officially launched its November 2026 voter guide for all candidates for federal and state office, statewide ballot measures and judges facing an up-or-down vote to remain in office.

The 2026 General Election Voter Guide combines answers from candidates ahead of the May primary and a handful of new, policy-specific questions. Of the 92 candidates on the ballot for federal and state-level races — Congress, state constitutional officers, Nebraska Legislature, State Board of Education and University of Nebraska Board of Regents — more than 90% participated. Gubernatorial candidates select a lieutenant governor running mate.

Among office-specific policy topics included in the voter guide: the economy and affordability, federal and state budgeting, international relations, medical cannabis, property taxes, public safety, consumer protections, election oversight, natural resources and data centers, debate procedure and filibusters, NU tuition/fees, local control and classroom/library content.

Questions were provided to candidates in mid-July. Responses were due in early September.

The guide also includes information on key election dates, how Nebraskans can check their voter registration or ballot status and other general election details.

New to the general election guide is context for three voter-proposed statewide ballot measures: two related to online sports betting and one related to sex-based constitutional restrictions for K-12 and collegiate sports.

Voters will also see one constitutional amendment that state lawmakers placed on the ballot to ask whether they should be allowed to serve more consecutive terms than current voter-set limits.

48 Nebraska judges face an up-or-down vote to stay in office after 2026

This fall, all voters will see a handful of judges on their ballot, at least two and as many as 15. More information on the 48 judges who filed for retention — an up-or-down vote on whether they should remain in office for six more years — is available online here.

The voter guide is part of the Examiner’s continued coverage of the 2026 election. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen certified the ballot Sept. 11. The first certified ballots must be sent to military and overseas voters by Sept. 18.

Additional race- and campaign-specific previews will be published ahead of the election.

Questions about the voter guide can be directed to [email protected] or [email protected]. Media partners can republish parts of the voter guide, including portions of candidate answers, free of charge with attribution.

See below for direct breakdowns and links explaining federal, state, legislative, education and judicial candidates. Or view the candidate visualization online here and the judicial visualization online here.