Learn about Nebraska's 2024 ballot measures at public hearings
LINCOLN — Nebraska voters will have a chance to learn more about this year's six ballot initiatives at a series of upcoming public hearings.
Secretary of State Bob Evnen's office has scheduled hearings in each of the three congressional districts, as required by state law. The hearings, announced Friday, offer a chance for supporters and opponents to talk about the proposals.
In addition, his office has put together an information pamphlet providing the texts of each measure and basic arguments for and against them. The pamphlets also are required by law. The pamphlets are online and paper copies will be available in county election offices and at the hearings.
"This is a record number of petition-initiated ballot measures on a Nebraska general election ballot," Evnen said. "Voters should take the time to review each measure before they step into the voting booth."
The ballot measures include two competing abortion-related constitutional amendments. Initiative 434, Protect Women and Children, would ban abortion in Nebraska after 12 weeks, with exceptions for rape, incest and medical emergencies. Initiative 439, Protect the Right to Abortion, would provide for a right to abortion until a fetus could live on its own.
A pair of measures, Initiatives 437 and 438, would legalize medical marijuana and set up a structure regulating its use.
Initiative 436 would require employers to provide paid sick leave for workers, with lower requirements for smaller employers.
The final measure, Referendum 435, would repeal a state-funded scholarship program for private and parochial school students.
The hearings will be:
Congressional District 1
State Capitol, Room 1525, 1445 K Street, Lincoln
Oct. 14
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Paid Sick Leave (Initiative 436)
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Medical Cannabis Patient Protection & Regulation (Initiatives 437 & 438)
Oct. 15
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Protect Women and Children Constitutional Amendment (Initiative 434)
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Protect the Right to Abortion Constitutional Amendment (Initiative 439)
Oct. 16
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Private Education Scholarship Partial Referendum (Referendum 435)
Congressional District 2
Thompson Alumni Center, Bootstrapper Hall, 6705 Dodge St., Omaha
Oct. 25
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Paid Sick Leave (Initiative 436)
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Medical Cannabis Patient Protection & Regulation (Initiatives 437 & 438)
Oct. 26
9:30 – 12:30 p.m. Protect Women and Children Constitutional Amendment (Initiative 434)
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Protect the Right to Abortion Constitutional Amendment (Initiative 439)
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Private Education Scholarship Partial Referendum (Referendum 435)
Congressional District 3
NACO West Training Center, 102 Diamond Springs Trail, Ogallala, NE 69153
Times displayed below are in Mountain Time.
Oct. 21
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Medical Cannabis Patient Protection & Regulation initiatives (437 & 438)
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Paid Sick Leave Initiative (436)
Oct. 22
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Private Education Scholarship Partial Referendum (435)
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Protect the Right to Abortion Constitutional Amendment (439)
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Protect Women and Children Constitutional Amendment (434)
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