Laws governing ballot measures in Nebraska
From Ballotpedia
This page provides an overview of resources addressing the laws and procedures that govern statewide and local ballot measures in Nebraska, including the initiative and referendum process, constitutional amendments, signature requirements, recall procedures, and campaign finance regulations.
Explore the links below for more information:
- Types of ballot measures in Nebraska
- Laws governing the initiative process in Nebraska
- Amending the Nebraska Constitution
- Laws governing local ballot measures in Nebraska
- Signature requirements for ballot measures in Nebraska
- Laws governing recall in Nebraska
- Laws governing state constitutional conventions in Nebraska
- Campaign finance requirements for Nebraska ballot measures
- Changes to laws governing ballot measures in Nebraska
Laws governing ballot measures in Nebraska
Types of ballot measures in Nebraska
- Nebraska has three types of citizen-initiated ballot measures: initiated constitutional amendments, initiated state statutes, and veto referendums.
- In Nebraska, the legislature can refer constitutional amendments and constitutional convention questions to the ballot.
Laws governing the initiative process in Nebraska
- In Nebraska, citizens have the power to initiate state statutes or constitutional amendments, as well as the power to repeal legislation through veto referendums.
- Nebraska adopted the initiative and referendum process in 1912, with voter approval of Amendment 1.
- From 2010 to 2024, voters decided on 15 citizen-initiated ballot measures in Nebraska.
Amending the Nebraska Constitution
- Nebraska became a state in 1867. The current state constitution was ratified in 1875.
- The Nebraska Constitution can be amended in three ways:
- Legislatively referred constitutional amendment: The state Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot, with a 60% supermajority vote in one session.
- Initiated constitutional amendment: Citizens can initiate constitutional amendments in Nebraska.
- Convention-referred constitutional amendment: A state constitutional convention can vote to refer constitutional changes to the ballot.
- The amendment becomes part of the constitution if a majority of those voting on the measure vote for it and if it wins favorable votes from at least 35 percent of those voting in the election for any office.
Laws governing local ballot measures in Nebraska
- Article XI, Section 4 of the Nebraska Constitution provides for initiative and referendum at the local level, specifically charter cities.
Signature requirements for ballot measures in Nebraska
- In Nebraska, the number of signatures required for ballot initiatives is tied to the number of registered voters at the time of the signature deadline.
- An initiated constitutional amendment requires a number of signatures equal to 10% of registered voters.
- An initiated state statute or veto referendum requires a number of signatures equal to 7% of registered voters.
- Nebraska also has a distribution requirement that requires initiative proponents to collect signatures from 5% of the registered voters in two-fifths (38) of Nebraska's 93 counties.
- Signatures are due four months before the general election.
Laws governing recall in Nebraska
- State law provides for the rules governing the recall process of local officials. The state constitution does not authorize the use of recall for state officials.
Laws governing state constitutional conventions in Nebraska
- A 60% supermajority vote is required during one legislative session of the Nebraska State Senate to place a constitutional convention question on the ballot.
- Approval of the constitutional convention question requires a simple majority vote. However, the number of affirmative votes cast for the measure must be greater than 35% of the total votes cast in the election.
Campaign finance requirements for Nebraska ballot measures
- PACs that support or oppose ballot measures in Nebraska must register and report campaign finance.
Changes to laws governing ballot measures in Nebraska
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
As of August 2025, the Nebraska State Senate had not passed legislation that changed the laws governing ballot measures in 2025.
See also
Ballotpedia
Footnotes
