The Wording

Proposed Amendment No. 1

A vote FOR will amend the state constitution to increase the term limit for state legislators from two consecutive four-year terms (eight years) to three consecutive four-year terms (12 years).

A vote AGAINST will not amend the Nebraska Constitution, so the current limit of two consecutive four-year terms will remain in effect. State legislators will continue to be ineligible for office in the Legislature for four years after serving two consecutive terms.

A constitutional amendment to change the limit on legislative terms from two consecutive terms to three consecutive terms.

(   )   For

(   )   Against

Our Explanation

On May 28, 2025, the Legislature voted 39 to 10 to put this issue on the ballot.  In 2000, the people (56%) voted in term limits to be two 4-year terms (8 years) with 4 years out before running again.  This amendment would change the limit to three terms (12 years). 

The original argument for term limits was to prevent any individual from having years of control. Those who favor the three-term idea point out that young freshman senators need more time to understand the process. Their concern is that the freshmen senators do not have enough time in two terms to gain the experience that lets them legislate without being overly influenced by staff and/or lobbyists.

Further research in process.