Nebraska Ballot Initiatives – the fight isn’t over!

The 2024 election is especially critical for Nebraskans. Ballot initiatives often have confusing legalese. If you missed the Ballot Initiative Education event at Second Unitarian Church of Omaha, and want to educate yourself and others, here is the link to hear our event speakers.

Key points:

  • Protect Our Rights – Reproductive Freedom

“FOR” #439 (last on ballot) and “AGAINST” #434 (first on ballot)

Secures a fundamental right to abortion in the Nebraska State Constitution, #439 and is last on the ballot. This would stop political interference and put families and doctors back in charge of these deeply personal decisions.

Nebraska is the only state with 2 competing initiatives. The anti-choice, #434, is first on the ballot restricting it to the first trimester. It does not prohibit further restrictions from the Unicameral to reproductive health care. https://protectourrights.com/

  • To Support Our Public Schools, vote to “REPEAL” on #435.

This would protect Nebraskans from the voucher scheme that gives public dollars to private schools. Our Nebraska Legislature passed law 1402, which siphons off $10 million of Nebraska tax dollars for use by private schools even though 9 out of 10 students go to public schools. Future legislation can drastically increase this amount as has been done in Florida, Arizona and Iowa. Governor Pillen’s testimony was “We’ve got to beat Iowa. Iowa just committed $345 Million a year to their budget for private schools.” 2/3/2023.

https://supportourschoolsnebraska.org/

  • To Support Paid Sick Leave, vote FOR #436.

Ensures that working Nebraskans can earn and use paid time off for their health care needs and that of their families. During covid, employees without sick leave came to work ill because they couldn’t afford to stay home and lose wages. Thus, they often infected other employees as well as having a negative impact on their employer’s business. https://paidsickleavefornebraskans.org/

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

  1. Educate yourself then talk with your friends & neighbors.
  2. Make sure you are registered to vote, VOTE411. If you have moved or changed your name, you need to re-register.
  3. Send this to others via email, text, and social media.
  4. Get involved by displaying yard signs, volunteering for phone banking & canvassing.
  5. Give money to support these causes.