13 states that may have abortion referendums in 2024
Nebraska
Advocates behind dueling abortion-related ballot measures in Nebraska are in the process of collecting the signatures required to appear on the ballot in the fall.
A measure called the “Protect Women and Children Amendment” would amend the state constitution to declare that “Except when a woman seeks an abortion necessitated by a medical emergency or when the pregnancy results from sexual assault or incest, unborn children shall be protected from abortion in the second and third trimesters.”
A similar ballot measure, known as the “Nebraska Human Life Protection Initiative,” would amend the state constitution to prohibit abortions and the use of abortion drugs. It clarifies that the proposed amendment would not ban the prescription of contraceptives in the state and contains exceptions in cases where the life of the mother is in danger.
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On the other hand, a “Protect the Right to Abortion Constitutional Initiative” would amend the Nebraska Constitution to state that “All persons shall have a fundamental right to abortion until fetal viability, or when needed to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient, without interference from the state or its political subdivisions.”
The proposed constitutional amendment defines viability as “the point in pregnancy when, in the professional judgment of the patient’s treating health care practitioner, there is a significant likelihood of the fetus’ sustained survival outside the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures.”
Nebraska law prohibits abortions after 12 weeks gestation.
Nebraska law requires supporters of ballot measures to secure signatures from 10% of registered voters statewide, including 5% of registered voters in at least 38 of the state’s 93 counties. Advocates have until July 5, four months before the general election, to submit the required number of signatures for each proposal.
As of April 2024, there are 1,229,563 registered voters in the state.
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
