Vacant Spots Remain on 2026 Nebraska Election Ballot

Several local offices in Nuckolls County still lack candidates ahead of filing deadline.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

With the filing deadline for the 2026 Nebraska elections having passed on Tuesday, several local offices in Nuckolls County still do not have any candidates. The county election officer confirmed that positions such as county attorney, city council seats in Superior and Nelson, and school board seats remain vacant on the upcoming primary ballot.

Why it matters

Uncontested races and vacant positions on the ballot can impact voter turnout and engagement, as well as the representation of different community interests in local government. This highlights the ongoing challenges some rural Nebraska communities face in recruiting qualified candidates for elected offices.

The details

According to Carrie Miller, the Nuckolls County election officer, there were still incumbents who had not filed for reelection and positions for which no one had filed by the Tuesday deadline. The only county position without a candidate was that of county attorney. There were also vacancies for two city council seats in Superior and one in Nelson. Several candidates did file for the Lawrence-Nelson School Board.

  • The filing deadline for incumbents seeking reelection or new positions was Tuesday, February 19, 2026.
  • The primary election in Nebraska is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
  • The general election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 2026.

The players

Carrie Miller

The Nuckolls County election officer.

Doug Porter

A candidate who filed for a Nelson city council seat.

Ryan Schroer, David Theer and Alicia Kucera

Candidates who filed for the Lawrence-Nelson School Board.

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What’s next

Non-incumbents have until March 2, 2026 to file for the 2026 Nebraska elections. The primary election will be held on May 12, 2026, and the general election is scheduled for November 4, 2026.

The takeaway

The vacant positions on the 2026 Nebraska election ballot in Nuckolls County highlight the ongoing challenges some rural communities face in recruiting qualified candidates for local elected offices, which can impact voter turnout and community representation.