Six Nebraska ballot measures scheduled to hold public hearings
LINCOLN — The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office has scheduled a series of hearings across the state to allow the public to comment on six ballot measures ahead of the November election.
State Law Requires the office to hold public hearings on all ballot initiatives or referendums on the general election ballot in Nebraska’s three congressional districts. This year’s six measures deal with abortion, medical marijuana, private K-12 education scholarships and paid sick leave.
“The number of petition-initiated ballot measures on the Nebraska general election ballot is at a record high,” Secretary of State Bob Evening said in a statement. “Voters should take the time to review each measure before walking into the polls.”
Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen announced the certification of ballots for the November 5, 2024 general election. September 13, 2024.
Evnen’s office prepared informational pamphlets containing specific ballot language for each ballot measure as well as common arguments for and against each measure. They are available online English and spanish.
Two medical marijuana petitions — to legalize and regulate the drug with voter approval — will be part of the consolidated hearing.
schedule:
1st Congressional District
Location: Room 1525 of the Nebraska State Capitol, 1445 K St., Lincoln
Monday, October 14
1:30-4:30 PM CDT, Paid Sick Leave Initiative 6-9 PM CDT, Medical Marijuana Petition
Tuesday, October 15
1:30-4:30 PM CDT, Protecting Women and Children (Constitutional Amendment on Abortion Restrictions, Initiative Measure 434) 6-9 PM CDT, Protecting the Right to Abortion (Constitutional Amendment on Abortion Rights, Initiative Measure 439)
Wednesday, October 16
6pm-9pm CDT, referendum on private education scholarships
2nd Congressional District
Location: Thompson Alumni Center Bootstrapper Hall, 6705 Dodge St., Omaha
Friday, October 25
1:30-4:30 PM CDT, Medical Marijuana Petition 6-9 PM CDT, Paid Sick Leave Initiative
Saturday, October 26
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM CDT, Protecting Abortion Rights (Constitutional Amendment to the Abortion Act, Initiative Measure 439) 1:30-4:30 PM CDT, Private Education Scholarship Partial Referendum 6-9 PM CDT, Protecting Women and Children (Abortion Restriction Constitutional Amendment, Initiative Measure 434)
3rd Congressional District
Where: Nebraska County Officials Association Western Training Center, 102 Diamond Springs Trail, Ogallala
Monday, October 21
1:30-4:30 PM (MDT), Medical Marijuana Petition 6-9 PM (MDT), Paid Sick Leave Initiative
Tuesday, October 22
9:30-12:30 pm MDT, Private Education Scholarship Partial Referendum 1:30-4:30 pm MDT, Protecting Abortion Rights (Abortion Rights Constitutional Amendment, Initiative Measure 439) 6-9 pm MDT, Protecting Women and Children (Abortion Restriction Constitutional Amendment, Initiative Measure 434)
2024 Ballot Measures
Evnen certified six ballot measures for the general election ballot:
protect women and children, Initiative Measure 434 – The Nebraska Constitution prohibits abortion in the first trimester or after pregnancy, except in cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother. Future restrictions will be allowed.
Partial abolition of private education scholarships (Legislative Bill 1402), Referendum Measure 435 — Repeals a $10 million scholarship program enacted earlier this year that the state treasurer oversees allocates to students attending K-12 private schools.
Paid sick leave, Initiative Measure 436 — Enacts a new state law requiring businesses with 20 or fewer employees to fund at least five days of paid sick leave per year for full-time employees. Larger businesses will need to fund at least seven days of sick leave per full-time employee per year. One hour of sick leave is earned for every 30 hours worked.
Nebraska Medical Marijuana Regulations, Initiative Measure 437 — Defines marijuana; legalizes the possession, manufacture, distribution, delivery and dispensing of marijuana for medical purposes; and establishes the Nebraska Medical Marijuana Commission to oversee the new state law.
Nebraska Medical Marijuana Patient Protections, Initiative Measure 438 — Sets the allowable amount of medical marijuana at 5 ounces; exempts patients and caregivers from using or assisting others in using marijuana; and requires written advice from a health care practitioner before prescribing.
protect abortion rights, Initiative Measure 439 — Enshrines the right to abortion in the Nebraska Constitution until a health care provider determines “fetal viability,” except later for reasons of mother’s health.
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