Rachel Dahl
As the calendar turns toward 2026, Nevada’s statewide and local election cycle is beginning to take real shape, and whether someone is thinking about running for office or simply planning to cast a ballot next year, there is a set of important dates and rules residents need to mark now.
The Nevada Secretary of State’s office has posted its 2026 election information, outlining filing periods, primary and general election dates, and other essential details that help ensure a smooth and fair election season for candidates and voters alike.
For those considering a run for public office, whether at the statewide, county, or municipal level, understanding the filing windows and requirements is critical.
The official period for non-judicial candidate filings runs from March 2 to March 13, 2026, during which time declaration of candidacy forms must be submitted to the appropriate election official by 5 p.m. on the final day. For judicial offices, the window opens earlier, from January 5 through January 16, 2026, and candidates must meet additional residency and registration requirements before filing.
Who qualifies as a candidate and where they file depends on the office:
- The Secretary of State, statewide executive offices, and federal offices (like U.S. Representative) use the Secretary of State’s office as the filing authority.
- County and local offices — from sheriff to public administrator — are handled through county clerks or registrars of voters, with some differences in procedure depending on the district.
From governor and lieutenant governor to attorney general, state controller, treasurer, and seats in the Nevada Legislature, many offices will be decided in 2026, with most races featuring both primary and general elections. A few high-profile potential and declared campaigns have already surfaced in statewide races, though these announcements precede the official filing period.
Once candidates have filed their paperwork, the next major milestone for voters and campaigns is the primary election, scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Early voting for the primary will begin Saturday, May 23, 2026, and run through Friday, June 5, 2026. Voter registration and absentee ballot request deadlines will be tied to the primary timeline.
The primary serves to narrow the field of candidates for partisan offices, determining which nominee from each major party will advance to the general election in November. In Nevada, which includes the governor’s race, seats in the state Legislature, and U.S. House seats, among others.
That general election is set for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the same date as midterms across the country — with early voting offered Saturday, October 17, 2026, and running through Friday, October 30, 2026.
For voters, the 2026 election cycle may still feel distant, but the nuts and bolts of participation, registration, ballot access, and planning begin well before Election Day.
Nevadans who are not yet registered should do so early rather than waiting, as many registration deadlines align with key election milestones. And those who prefer mail-in or absentee ballots should be sure to verify their voter registration information and understand deadlines for requesting and returning ballots through their local election office.
Secretary of State officials are mailing out postcards to registered voters with key dates and a checklist designed to make participation easier. The postcard reminders underscore that early planning leaves less room for confusion or last-minute errors as the election year unfolds.
While statewide races are shaping up, local offices, from county commissioners to justice of the peace and school board positions, are also up for election, with some districts announcing specific ballot lineups early.
Partisan offices to be filed with the Churchill County Clerk include County Commissioner, District 2, for a four-year term, currently held by Myles Getto; County Assessor, Clerk/Treasurer; District Attorney, Public Administrator, and Recorder.
Non-partisan offices include District Court Judge, a six-year term, currently held by Tom Stockard; four members-at-large of the Churchill County School Board of Trustees, three members-at-large of the Mosquito, Vector & Noxious Weed Abatement Board; and a four-year term for Sheriff, currently held by Richard Hickox.
Offices to be filed with the City of Fallon Clerk are two non-partisan Council seats, Ward 1 and Ward 3, held currently by Kelly Frost and Paul Harmon, respectively. Frost will have reached her 12 years of service at the end of ’26 and will not run again due to term limits.
For more details on deadlines, specific offices on the ballot, and voter requirements, residents can visit the Nevada Secretary of State’s 2026 election information page or contact their local election office. Nevada Secretary of State
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