Nebraska Will Elect New Secretary of State
Voters will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to decide the next leader of the state office.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Elections
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Nebraska voters will elect a new Secretary of State on November 3, 2026. Four candidates are currently campaigning for the position following a primary election where incumbent Bob Evnen was defeated.
Why it matters
The Secretary of State office is responsible for critical government functions, including the management of state elections and the processing of business filings. The upcoming election will determine who oversees the certification of results and business registration across Nebraska.
Four candidates have qualified for the ballot for the office of Secretary of State following the defeat of incumbent Bob Evnen in the primary. The election takes place on November 3, 2026, to fill the vacancy for the administrative position.
The players
Scott Petersen
He is the Republican candidate campaigning to become the next Nebraska Secretary of State.
Sarah Slattery
She is the Democratic candidate seeking election to the state's Secretary of State office.
Paul Rumbaugh
He is running for the Secretary of State position as a representative of the Working Party People.
Bob Krist
He is the candidate representing the America First Party in the race for Secretary of State.
Bob Evnen
He is the current Secretary of State who will vacate the office after losing in the primary election.
The details
The candidates competing for the role are Republican Scott Petersen, Democrat Sarah Slattery, Working Party People candidate Paul Rumbaugh, and America First Party candidate Bob Krist. The winner will inherit the duties of managing state elections, certifying official results, and maintaining business registrations in Lincoln.
Timeline
Nebraska will hold the general election for Secretary of State on November 3, 2026.
Political Context
Opposing viewpoints have raised concerns about the shift in administrative policy that could follow the replacement of an incumbent. Critics of the current party platforms emphasize the potential for changes in how business filings are processed and how election integrity is maintained.
The outcome of this election will directly impact how residents interact with state government regarding business registrations and filings. Voters will also see changes in how future election certifications are handled by the incoming administration.
The takeaway
Voters should review the platforms of all four candidates to understand their approaches to election administration and business regulation. Understanding these positions is essential for residents who rely on the office for state filings and civic engagement.
Further reading
For more information on state voting procedures, visit Nebraska Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wowt.
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