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Secretary of State of Nebraska

Statewide — all of Nebraska

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

  • Republican Scott Petersen defeated incumbent Secretary of State Bob Evnen in the May 12, 2026 primary, 54.6% to 45.4%, so the seat has no incumbent. Democrat Sarah Slattery defeated Lee Cimfel 91.2% to 8.8%.[1][3]
  • Bob Krist (America First Party Nebraska) and Paul Rumbaugh (Nebraska Working People Party) are also listed on the general-election ballot.[1]
  • The Nebraska Secretary of State's list of Nov. 3, 2026 statewide contests shows four candidates for Secretary of State: Scott Petersen (Republican), Sarah J. Slattery (Democratic), Paul Rumbaugh (Nebraska Working People) and Bob Krist (America First).[6]

On the ballot · 4 candidates

Scott PetersenRBusiness ownerFull profile →Sarah SlatteryDChef and small-business owner; Plattsmouth Library Board memberFull profile →Bob KristAmerica First Party NebraskaRetired Air Force lieutenant colonel; former state senatorFull profile →Paul RumbaughNebraska Working People PartyFull profile →

Issue evidence — side by side

Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.

Require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote

  • Scott Petersen
    —
  • Sarah Slattery
    In their own words[2]
    “Now that we have a Voter ID law on the books, offering same-day registration would be easier and more secure than ever before!”

    Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, on same-day registration; she does not address proof of citizenship

  • Bob Krist
    —
  • Paul Rumbaugh
    —

Research notes & limits

Slate: confirmed against the Nebraska Secretary of State's official Nov. 3, 2026 statewide contest list, which matches Ballotpedia's four candidates. No Krist/Rumbaugh polling found; both are listed minimal. Rumbaugh's site lists no platform text. The open-seat race follows the incumbent's primary loss. The question of proof of citizenship was not addressed in any candidate's own words that was found, so no stances are recorded.

Sources · 20

Researched 2026-10-19. Green citations are official government records.

  1. 1.Nebraska Secretary of State election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-19 Reference
  2. 2.Nebraska Secretary of State election, 2026 — Candidate Connection survey responses (Petersen, Slattery) · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
  3. 3.Election 2026: Nebraska Secretary of State candidates to focus on future of elections · WOWT · 2026-05-13 News report
  4. 4.Priorities — Sarah Slattery for Nebraska · Slattery for Nebraska Candidate's own words
  5. 5.Bob Krist for Secretary of State · Bob Krist campaign · 2026-08-31 Candidate's own words
  6. 6.General Election November 3, 2026 — statewide contests · Nebraska Secretary of State · 2026-10-19 Official record
  7. 7.Nebraska Secretary of State election, 2026 — Candidate Connection survey responses (Petersen, Slattery) · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
  8. 8.Election 2026: Nebraska Secretary of State candidates to focus on future of elections · WOWT · 2026-05-13 News report
  9. 9.Scott Petersen (Nebraska) · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
  10. 10.Evnen out as Nebraska secretary of state · Nebraska Public Media · 2026-05-12 News report
  11. 11.Scott Petersen challenges Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen from right · Nebraska Examiner · 2026-03-02 News report
  12. 12.Nebraska Secretary of State election, 2026 — Candidate Connection survey responses (Petersen, Slattery) · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
  13. 13.Election 2026: Nebraska Secretary of State candidates to focus on future of elections · WOWT · 2026-05-13 News report
  14. 14.Sarah Slattery · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-19 Reference
  15. 15.Bob Krist for Secretary of State · Bob Krist campaign · 2026-08-31 Candidate's own words
  16. 16.Bob Krist · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-19 Reference
  17. 17.Former state Sen. Bob Krist selects America First Party for secretary of state run · Nebraska Examiner · 2026-09-01 News report
  18. 18.Elect Paul Rumbaugh, Nebraska Secretary of State · Paul Rumbaugh campaign Candidate's own words
  19. 19.Nebraska Secretary of State election, 2026 — Candidate Connection survey responses (Rumbaugh) · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
  20. 20.Paul Rumbaugh · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-21 Reference