Results of Initiative Petitions

Six initiative petitions were under consideration in this election. Nebraska is one of 24 states that allow citizens to initiate legislation through the petition process. It can be a powerful tool for voters to bypass the legislative process and take issues directly to voters. In recent years, both casino gambling and Medicare expansion became law via the petition process, despite vehement opposition by then Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts. Medical MarijuanaTwo initiatives are related to medical cannabis. These initiatives are for medical marijuana only. They do not pertain to recreational use. While votes are not yet certified, numbers currently indicate both initiatives won.Initiative 437-Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection InitiativeThis initiative would authorize qualified patients to use, possess, and acquire up to five ounces of marijuana to alleviate or treat a medical condition or its symptoms. Qualified patients would include a patient 18 years or older with a written recommendation from a healthcare practitioner or a patient younger than 18 years of age with a written recommendation from a healthcare practitioner as well as written consent from a parent or guardian. The law would also authorize caregivers to assist a qualified patient in possessing the allowable amount and marijuana accessories on behalf of the qualified patient.Initiative 437-Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Initiative.This initiative would legalize the possession, manufacture, distribution, delivery, and dispensing of marijuana for medical purposes. It would establish the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to regulate and provide the necessary registration for the medical marijuana program.However, the marijuana initiatives are still facing court challenges. AbortionTwo are opposing initiatives regarding access to abortion. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, because these two amendments conflict, the constitutional amendment that receives the majority of votes in November will be codified into law.Initiative 434-Prohibit Abortions After First TrimesterOf the two abortion initiatives on the ballot, the first is “Protect Women and Children Constitutional Amendment, which would limit the procedure to 12 to14 weeks gestational age and empowers lawmakers to enact even stricter laws.Initiative 439-Right to AbortionThe other initiative is “Protect the Right to Abortion Constitutional Amendment.” According to the object statement, the purpose of this amendment is to provide for access to abortion until “fetal viability, which is the point in pregnancy when, in the professional judgment of the patient’s health care practitioner, there is a significant likelihood of the fetus’ sustained survival outside the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures; or when needed to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient.”Current numbers indicate the abortion prohibition has prevailed and the Right to Abortion initiative has been rejected. Initiative 436-Paid Sick LeaveThe “Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans” ballot initiative would require all Nebraska businesses to offer paid sick leave to employees. Employees would earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.For employers with fewer than 20 employees, workers may earn up to five days of paid sick leave per year. For employers with 20 or more employees, workers may earn up to seven days of paid sick leave per year.Current numbers indicate this initiative has passed. School VouchersOne last initiative is intended to overturn the Opportunity Scholarships Act.Support Our Schools is the organization behind a petition to repeal Nebraska's recently passed Opportunity Scholarship Act.An earlier petition to repeal the bill garnered enough signatures and was certified by the Secretary of State in 2023. However, that petition was later invalidated when a revised version of the Opportunity Scholarships Act was passed.The revised bill sets aside $10 million a year in state money for a voucher program for students attending private schools. Opponents of the bill say it takes tax money away from public schools.The current votes indicate this initiative, too, has passed, meaning Nebraska votes have rejected the use of tax money for private schools.Again, none of these decisions are official until certified.

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