Signatures turned in for measure to restrict Nebraska lawmakers' ability to change voter-passed laws

LINCOLN — Advocates seeking an amendment to the Nebraska Constitution to “protect” citizen-initiated laws submitted more than 186,500 signatures Thursday in hopes of reaching the November ballot.

The proponents, known as Respect Nebraska Voters, argue that increasing the threshold to tweak or overturn voter-passed laws — such as casino gambling, caps on payday lending, medical cannabis legalization and regulation, minimum wage increases and guaranteed paid sick leave — is necessary because of state lawmakers’ interference in 2025 and 2026.

If successful, the threshold of state senators needed to change voter-approved laws would increase from 33 of 49 lawmakers (two-thirds) to 40 (four-fifths). That would be for any changes, including positive ones, for laws that voters have approved since 2004 and into the future.

“Too many politicians think they know what’s best for Nebraskans, that they know better than the people that elected them,” said Jo Giles, one of three sponsors of the campaign. “But Nebraskans know what’s best for Nebraskans, and after we vote, politicians should listen.”




https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/07/02/signatures-turned-in-for-measure-to-restrict-nebraska-lawmakers-ability-to-change-voter-passed-laws/