Nebraska voters will have the opportunity to decide on two competing measures related to abortion on the November ballot, making it the first state to have such a scenario since the overturn of Roe V. Wade in 2022. The two measures, certified by Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, involve one aiming to enshrine the state’s current 12-week abortion ban in the constitution and the other seeking to extend abortion access up to fetal viability, which is typically around 24 weeks. The campaigns for both measures collected record-breaking signatures to qualify for the ballot, with each receiving over 136,000 valid signatures.
The measure sponsored by Protect Our Rights would enshrine the right to abortion when needed to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient and extend abortion access. On the other hand, the measure backed by anti-abortion group Protect Women and Children aims to enshrine the 12-week ban in opposition to the Protect Our Rights initiative. Both measures must receive at least 35% of the vote to pass, with the one receiving the most votes in November being the winner.
Nebraska joins other states like Missouri and Arizona in certifying abortion-related ballot measures, while abortion rights supporters in Arkansas were blocked from getting their measure on the ballot due to a paperwork error. The outcome of the Nebraska election will have a significant impact on abortion access in the state and set a precedent for how controversial issues like abortion are decided at the state level.
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