Nebraska Senate Election 2026: Live Results
The Nebraska Senate Election 2026 is on November 3, 2026. Dan Osborn (independent) faces Republican Pete Ricketts (incumbent). The seat is currently held by Republicans. VoteTide rates the race Lean R. Prediction markets give Pete Ricketts a 84% chance of winning. The average of the last 5 polls has Pete Ricketts ahead by 3.2 points. The last polls in Nebraska close at 9 p.m. Eastern.
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Updated Tue, 03 Nov 2026 17:08:36 GMT
Results
No votes have been reported yet. Polls close at 9 p.m. Eastern.
Ballots already cast
By party registration of the voter, not who they voted for.
- Voted in person (early)47,443
- Voted by mail189,692
- Total ballots cast237,135
- Share of 2022 total turnout35%
- Mail ballots requested247,561
- Registered Republicans ahead by13,871
UF Election Lab · updated 11/2/2026
Candidates
- Dan Osborn (Independent, backed by Democrats)
- Pete Ricketts (Republican, incumbent)
Independent Dan Osborn runs without a Democratic opponent.
Odds
- Kalshi: Democrat 31%, Republican 69%
- Polymarket: Democrat 0%, Republican 100%
Rating: Lean R
Latest polls
| Pollster | Dates | Osborn | Ricketts |
|---|---|---|---|
| GrayHouse (R) | October 29 – November 1, 2026 | 44% | 50% |
| YouGov | October 26–29, 2026 | 49% | 49% |
| National Public Affairs (R) | October 25–29, 2026 | 45% | 48% |
| New York Times/Siena University | October 23–29, 2026 | 43% | 49% |
| Echelon Insights (R) | October 16–23, 2026 | 46% | 47% |
| GBAO (D) | October 18–22, 2026 | 46% | 45% |
| Concord Public Opinion Partners (D) | October 15–18, 2026 | 48% | 41% |
| Impact Research (D) | October 14–20, 2026 | 47% | 49% |
| National Public Affairs (R) | October 15–18, 2026 | 43% | 46% |
| National Public Affairs (R) | October 2–5, 2026 | 43% | 46% |
What's at stake
For the country
- This seat is held by Republicans. A Democratic win would be a flip, one of the 4 net gains Democrats need to reach 51 seats and take control.
- A Republican hold keeps it in the column that protects the current 53-seat majority.
- Senate control decides which judges and cabinet nominees are confirmed and whether the President's bills can pass.
For Nebraska
- Senators vote on every federal law, confirm Supreme Court justices, federal judges and cabinet members, and ratify treaties. Terms last six years.
- Pete Ricketts is the incumbent. Incumbents bring seniority, name recognition and committee roles; challengers argue for a fresh start.
Dan Osborn
- Dan Osborn runs as an independent and is not bound to either party's platform; Democrats are backing the campaign.
Pete Ricketts
- Supporters say a Republican senator would keep taxes low and protect recent tax cuts.
- They argue for tighter border security and stricter immigration enforcement.
- They favour expanding domestic energy production and cutting federal regulation.
Arguments are summarised at party level from each side's stated priorities, not quotes from the candidates.
Frequently asked questions
Who is running in the Nebraska Senate Election 2026?
Dan Osborn (I), Pete Ricketts (R, incumbent).
Who is favored to win the Nebraska senate race?
Prediction markets give Pete Ricketts a 84% chance. VoteTide's rating is Lean R.
When do polls close in Nebraska?
On November 3, 2026, the last polls in Nebraska close at 9 p.m. Eastern. The first results usually appear within an hour.
Where do these Nebraska results come from?
Vote counts come from official election sources as they are published (and from the AP when configured). Odds come from Kalshi and Polymarket, and polls from public polling tables. The page refreshes every minute.
Nebraska at a glance
- 2024 presidential result: Trump +20.5
- Electoral votes: 5
- U.S. House seats: 3