The basics
Unlike all other states, which have two legislative chambers (often a house and a senate), Nebraska has one body tasked with writing and amending laws and appropriating state funds. The 49 members of the Nebraska Legislature each represent a geographic district consisting of roughly 40,000 people.
What does a state senator do?
Lawmakers, also called senators, serve four-year terms and can only serve two consecutive terms before having to sit out for four years. Elections are nonpartisan, meaning the top two vote-getters in a district advance from the primary to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. Party affiliation is not listed on the ballot.
Regular legislative sessions begin in early January and last either 90 or 60 days. The governor can call lawmakers back for a special session, as happened earlier this year to address property taxes.
Lawmakers are paid $12,000 per year, plus expenses.
What’s the big deal?
In short: Voters will decide how far lawmakers can advance a more conservative agenda. While the Legislature is officially nonpartisan, lawmakers regularly split along party lines on some of the most contentious issues. Those bills routinely face a filibuster, which can prevent a bill from passing. It takes 33 votes to defeat a filibuster.
Currently there are 33 registered Republicans in the Legislature, though one of those was, until April, a registered Democrat who aligned more with conservative lawmakers on social issues. Over the past two years, the makeup of the Legislature allowed lawmakers to pass a slew of conservative initiatives that failed in previous sessions, including permitless concealed carry of weapons and private school vouchers. They also passed a 12-week abortion ban that also prohibits gender-affirming surgery for minors.
However, other conservative initiatives — including a school obscenity bill and a bill restricting bathroom access and sports participation for transgender K-12 students — narrowly failed to garner enough support earlier this year.
The outcome of the legislative races could embolden or stymie conservatives and their agenda.
Legislature races
Click for district details, primary results and see where candidates stand on issues.
District | Candidates | Location | |
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Legislature: District 1 |
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Southeast Nebraska | Details |
Legislature: District 3 |
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Bellevue, Papillion | Details |
Legislature: District 5 |
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South Omaha | Details |
Legislature: District 7 |
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East Omaha | Details |
Legislature: District 9 |
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Midtown Omaha | Details |
Legislature: District 11 |
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North Omaha | Details |
Legislature: District 13 |
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Northeast Omaha | Details |
Legislature: District 15 |
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Valley, Fremont, Northwest Douglas Co. | Details |
Legislature: District 17 |
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Wayne, Thurston, Dakota, Dixon Counties | Details |
Legislature: District 19 |
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Madison and Pierce Counties | Details |
Legislature: District 21 |
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Northwest Lincoln, Malcolm, Waverly, Davey, Raymond | Details |
Legislature: District 23 |
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Colfax, Saunders and Butler Counties | Details |
Legislature: District 25 |
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Southeast Lincoln, Bennet, rural Lancaster County | Details |
Legislature: District 27 |
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Rural Lancaster County | Details |
Legislature: District 29 |
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South-central Lincoln | Details |
Legislature: District 31 |
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Suburban Omaha | Details |
Legislature: District 33 |
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Adams, Hall, Phelps Counties | Details |
Legislature: District 35 |
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Grand Island | Details |
Legislature: District 37 |
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Southern Buffalo County | Details |
Legislature: District 39 |
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Elkhorn and Waterloo | Details |
Legislature: District 41 |
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Central Nebraska | Details |
Legislature: District 43 |
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Sandhills and northern Nebraska | Details |
Legislature: District 45 |
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Bellevue | Details |
Legislature: District 47 |
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Nebraska Panhandle | Details |
Legislature: District 49 |
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La Vista and Papillion | Details |