One way to enact positive change is through Nebraska’s ballot initiatives, and Nebraska voters have made their voices clear when it comes to issues that impact them close to home. The ballot process is direct democracy in action, enshrined in our state constitution, for citizens to make the changes they want to see passed into law.
In prior years, Voices for Children has supported ballot initiatives that help hardworking families – initiatives that have ended predatory payday lending (2020), raised the state minimum wage (2022) and required reasonable paid sick leave for Nebraska workers (2024). These changes have strengthened families’ bottom lines and allowed caregivers more time and resources to care for their children.
Nebraska voters made their opinions clear about these initiatives – passing them with strong support across the state. And yet, in the past legislative session, lawmakers worked to unwind many of the details that Nebraskans implemented. Bills like LB 258 And LB 698 sought to make significant, substantive changes to the initiatives voters approved so recently.
We have been there at the Capitol to oppose changes that roll back voter-approved provisions supporting children, families, and the Nebraska ‘good life’.
Now, Voices for Children is part of a new effort to ensure that Nebraska voters’ voices are heard and respected by state lawmakers.
The Respect Nebraska Voters ballot initiative will change the number of Nebraska state senators required to undo or change laws voters have passed from two-thirds (33 members) of the Legislature to a four-fifths (39 members) supermajority. It’s a technical, procedural change, but by increasing the number of votes, it will make it harder for lawmakers to undo the will of the people on initiatives that matter for Nebraska families. This change will help safeguard the ballot process, so that when Nebraskans make a decision with their vote at the ballot box, it is respected.
Stay tuned for more details soon! In the meantime, you can:
- Sign up for email updates from Respect Nebraska Voters