As polls closed across Nebraska on Nov. 6, 2024, the Associated Press began posting the first Senate vote counts, outlining when the state could expect full results.
Key points
- AP began posting Nebraska Senate results at 9 p.m. ET, with 50 % of precincts reporting by 10:55 p.m. ET and 90 % by 3:15 a.m. ET on election night.
- Early and absentee ballots accounted for roughly 39 % of all votes in Nebraska’s 2022 elections, a metric that may affect the speed of 2026 result reporting.
- Historical turnout for the 2022 Nebraska governor race was 666,795 votes, providing context for voter engagement in the current Senate contest.
The Associated Press’s live‑results portal for the Nebraska U.S. Senate race started publishing vote totals at 9 p.m. ET, the moment polls shut, and indicated that the state would reach half of its precincts reporting by 10:55 p.m. ET, with 90 % of votes in by 3:15 a.m. ET the following morning.
While the 2026 race is still underway, the AP notes that in the 2022 election cycle about 39 % of all Nebraska ballots were cast early or via absentee ballot, a figure that helps gauge how quickly results may accumulate once counting begins.
Reporting timeline on election night
Turnout in Nebraska’s most recent midterm election – the 2022 governor’s race – totaled 666,795 votes, offering a benchmark for voter participation that could influence the speed and volume of Senate vote reporting this year.
The AP emphasizes its long‑standing role in election coverage, having tabulated U.S. vote counts since 1848 and relying on local officials for data. Its Decision Team will declare a winner only when the trailing candidate no longer has a mathematical path to victory.
Early and absentee voting trends
Readers can follow the live feed for real‑time updates, and the AP invites sign‑ups for its Ground Game Newsletter, which curates major political and policy stories across the nation.
Reader questions
When did the Associated Press start reporting the Nebraska Senate results on election night?
The AP posted the first vote totals at 9 p.m. ET as polls closed, with half of the votes reported by 10:55 p.m. ET and 90 % by 3:15 a.m. ET.
What proportion of Nebraska ballots were cast early or by absentee in the 2022 election?
About 39 % of all ballots in Nebraska’s 2022 election were cast early or via absentee ballot.
Source: apnews.com
