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Ballot Issues

     

    BALLOT ISSUES

    Note:  several links reveal that research is still in process – keep coming back for updates.

    Even before we attempt to provide information on each of the issues, we wanted to remind voters of the procedures related to ballot issues.  

    A ballot measure becomes law only when two tests are met. 

    • First, it must win head-to-head. That means a majority of the votes cast on that measure must be “For,” rather than “Against.”  
    • Second, those “For” votes must clear a specific threshold of at least 35 percent of the total ballots cast in the election.  

    The Secretary of State’s guidance puts it simply: If 100 people show up to vote, more must vote For than Against, and at least 35 of those 100 must vote For. 

    So, what if you don’t support a ballot measure?
    Or what if you aren’t sure what you think of it? It may seem like leaving your response blank is the right decision in that moment. In reality, though, you’re still picking a side—and it may not be the side you want to take. That’s because a blank is not a hidden “No.” If you cast a ballot but skip a given initiative line, you have stepped out of the For-or-Against tally while adding to the total ballots cast number.  

    In other words: You have not registered opposition on the majority-of-votes-cast-on-the-measure test, but you’ve still changed the math around whether a measure succeeds or fails. 
    If you disagree with a proposal—or even if you have questions—vote Against. Because that is the only sure way of saying that you are not ready to change Nebraska’s law. 

    There are Statewide issues on every ballot.  They are numbered 440, 441, 442, and #1.  440 and 441 are connected but had to be presented as separate issues to follow the one-issue rule.

     

    440 - Shall the Nebraska Constitution be amended to authorize the enactment of laws allowing persons located within Nebraska to place sports wagers through an Internet-based platform when offered by an authorized gaming operator conducting games of chance within a licensed racetrack enclosure in Nebraska?

    The stated objective: The object of this petition is to amend the Nebraska Constitution to state that laws may be enacted allowing sports wagers to be placed within the State of Nebraska through an Internet-based platform offered by an authorized gaming operator.

    Note:  Nothing in this statement says anything about relieving property tax.

    441 - Shall statutes be enacted that: (1) Allow persons located within Nebraska to place sports wagers through an Internet-based platform when offered by an authorized gaming operator conducting games of chance within a licensed racetrack enclosure in Nebraska or the operator’s platform provider; and (2) Regulate such sports wagers?

    For a more thorough investigation, see our blog from April.  Short summary:

    This would legalize Internet sports betting with the implied intent of creating revenue to help with decreasing property tax. Because people are doing Internet sports betting anyway, and other states are getting the tax income from it, this initiative aims to keep the money in Nebraska. Also, Internet sports betting is one of the fastest growing gambling opportunities, so the amount of property tax relief will potentially rise as that change happens.

    The system for acquiring income from gambling resources is established in the Nebraska Constitution and statutes.

    Nebraska already allows some types of gambling and lays out how the revenue is to be spent. Of that gaming tax collected, 70% goes to the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund, 2.5% goes to the state’s general fund and another 2.5% goes to a fund that provides resources to help compulsive gamblers. The cities and counties where the casinos are located split the remaining 25% of the gaming tax.

    However, a person who pays eight thousand dollars annually would see a reduction of less than $50 in their property tax bill based on current revenues.  The expense to families who cannot afford gambling ends up creating expenses for the state in providing assistance.

    Some have pointed out that gambling as entertainment actually takes away from other forms of entertainment.  For there to be $166 million gained, how much money is actually lost by those gambling?

     

    442 - Shall the Nebraska Constitution be amended to provide: (1) Schools must expressly designate each athletic team or sport as one of the following based on biological sex: (a) Males, men, or boys; (b) females, women, or girls; or (c) coed or mixed; and (2) Athletic teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls shall not be open to students of the male sex?

    The amendment would apply to all athletic teams or sports sponsored by public schools or postsecondary educational institutions, and private schools or educational institutions whose athletic teams or sports compete against public schools or institutions.

    The object of this petition is to amend the Nebraska Constitution to establish constitutional protections for sex-separate athletics to ensure equal access to athletic opportunities for females.

    In the 2025 Legislative session, the “Stand with Women Act” was passed.  One section states, 

    “(3) Physical differences between males and females have long made separate and sex-specific sports teams important so that female athletes can have equal opportunities to compete in sports while reducing the risk of physical injury;” 

     However, because it's only a law, somebody could override that in the future. This initiative would make the law harder to override by putting it into the Constitution that biological sex needs to take priority over gender identity when it comes to athletics.

     

    Proposed Amendment No. 1

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

    Over 25 years ago, in 2000, the people voted 56% to 44% to establish term limits for the legislature.  A senator can serve two consecutive terms (8 years) and then is term limited out for 4 years, and may run again after that time. 

    This potential constitutional amendment was put on the ballot by the legislature with a 39-10 vote. It asks voters to approve changing that term limit to three terms (12 years), and then the same four years off and availability to run again after that. 

    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.

     

    Besides the statewide ballot issues, there are many across our 7-county focus area.  Note: links for many still say "research in process" 

    Douglas County

    Cass County

    Lancaster County

    Washington County

    Seward County

    Dodge County