1-minute overview

What your vote means

Passing this ballot measure would enshrine a ban on abortion in the second and third trimesters in the state Constitution. Like the current 12-week restrictions that lawmakers passed last year, it would include exceptions for sexual assault, incest and medical emergencies.

Doctors largely consider the second trimester to begin at 14 weeks of pregnancy. So, if this passes, Nebraska’s 12-week law would stay in place. 

Future lawmakers could not pass a law to allow abortions in the second or third trimesters – say, to return to the state’s previous 22-week law. But they could pass something stricter than current law – like a six-week ban.

This ballot measure is supported by anti-abortion organizations like the Nebraska Family Alliance and Nebraska Right to Life, who say it’s a way to create a floor of constitutional protection for “unborn babies.” Almost all of its funding has come from the U.S. Sen. and former Gov. Pete Ricketts, his mom Marlene Ricketts and members of the Peed family, which founded the Lincoln-based company Sandhills Global.

It’s opposed by abortion rights advocates, who think lawmakers shouldn’t have a role in individuals’ medical decisions and that this could open the door to a total ban.

Vote “For” this ballot measure if you want to preserve current abortion restrictions and allow a stricter ban in the future. Vote “Against” if you think the current law is too strict or you don’t want abortion restrictions in the state Constitution.