Nebraska 1970 ballot measures
In 1970, voters decided on 17 statewide ballot measure in Nebraska on November 3.
- All 17 were legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
- Voters approved 10 (58.8%) and rejected seven (41.2%).
On the ballot
November 3, 1970
| Type | Title | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 10 | Authorize the legislature to classify and exempt personal property from taxation. |
|
215,418 (52%) |
199,637 (48%) |
|
| Amendment 11 | Authorize the legislature to determine the investment of educational funds and the approval of the members of the board of educational lands and funds |
|
213,233 (58%) |
152,155 (42%) |
|
| Amendment 12 | Allow the Legislature to grant financial assistance to nonpublic school students for tuition related to state-approved courses |
|
182,827 (42%) |
250,529 (58%) |
|
| Amendment 13a | Remove the Lieutenant Governor’s role as the presiding officer of the legislature and their right to vote in case of a tie. |
|
164,946 (45%) |
200,085 (55%) |
|
| Amendment 13b | Elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor as a single ticket from the same political party |
|
187,147 (56%) |
146,695 (44%) |
|
| Amendment 13c | Provide that the Lieutenant Governor perform duties in lieu of the Governor when needed and perform duties as delegated by the Governor. |
|
214,906 (65%) |
115,803 (35%) |
|
| Amendment 14 | Create a nine-member Board of Trustees for Higher Education to govern all higher education institutions in Nebraska. |
|
129,628 (35%) |
243,637 (65%) |
|
| Amendment 15 | Limit annual legislative sessions to 90 days in odd-numbered years and 60 days in even-numbered years and allow bills from odd-numbered years to be carried over to the next even-numbered session. |
|
194,971 (53%) |
173,064 (47%) |
|
| Amendment 1 | Lowering the minimum voting age to 20 years. |
|
235,548 (55%) |
194,301 (45%) |
|
| Amendment 2 | Require the legislature to reapportion the Supreme Court judicial districts every ten years based on the federal census. |
|
230,589 (61%) |
148,941 (39%) |
|
| Amendment 3 | Eliminate the requirement to read bills in full before a final vote in the legislature. |
|
170,873 (43%) |
222,788 (57%) |
|
| Amendment 4 | Allow the Supreme Court to call retired judges for temporary duty to fill vacancies. |
|
260,349 (67%) |
127,900 (33%) |
|
| Amendment 5 | Issue revenue bonds for educational facilities, including dormitories, athletic, and medical facilities. |
|
233,330 (62%) |
143,373 (38%) |
|
| Amendment 6 | Remove the constitutional limit on county property tax levies and allow the legislature to set mill levy limits. |
|
93,251 (24%) |
288,288 (76%) |
|
| Amendment 7 | Create a commission to set legislative salaries and expenses every two years. |
|
112,443 (30%) |
266,446 (70%) |
|
| Amendment 8 | Increase the petition requirement for charter amendments in home-rule cities to 10% of registered voters instead of 5% of the total vote for governor. |
|
156,650 (45%) |
194,008 (55%) |
|
| Amendment 9 | Provide the Nebraska Supreme Court administrative authority over all courts and eliminate justices of the peace. |
|
198,450 (55%) |
165,087 (45%) |
Historical context
The inventory of Nebraska statewide ballot measures is part of Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbooks, which document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will provide an unparalleled resource for researchers, reporters, and voters on how ballot measures have evolved, the issues they've covered, and the role they have played in our civic life. Click here to access the Nebraska Historical Ballot Measures Factbook.
Between 1860 and 2025, Nebraskans voted on 424 state ballot measures. Of those, 266 (63%) were approved, and 158 (37%) were defeated.
The Nebraska State Legislature has referred 296 ballot measures to the state ballot between 1860 and 2025, while 80 citizen initiatives were on the statewide ballot. Additionally, 48 measures originated from one of the state’s constitutional conventions.
Legislatively referred measures were approved 67% of the time, as compared to 46% for citizen initiatives.
The average number of measures per decade was between 24 and 25. The decade with the most ballot measures was the 1970s, with 76. Forty-nine measures (64%) were approved, and 27 (36%) were defeated. The decade that had the highest approval rate was the 1920s, which featured 48 measures—44 (92%) were approved. The decade with the lowest approval rating was the 1890s. None of the 18 measures were approved.
Types of ballot measures in Nebraska
- See also: Types of ballot measures in Nebraska
Citizen-initiated ballot measures
In Nebraska, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums. In 1912, voters adopted a constitutional amendment allowing for initiatives and referendums.
Initiated constitutional amendments
- See also: Initiated constitutional amendment
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In Nebraska, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of registered voters at the signature deadline. 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. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval. However, the number of affirmative votes cast for the measure must be greater than 35% of the total votes cast in the election. This also applies to legislative referrals.
Initiated state statutes
- See also: Initiated state statute
An initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are 21 states that allow citizens to initiate state statutes, including 14 that provide for direct initiatives and nine (9) that provide for indirect initiatives (two provide for both). An indirect initiated state statute goes to the legislature after a successful signature drive. The legislatures in these states have the option of approving the initiative itself, rather than the initiative appearing on the ballot.
In Nebraska, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 7% of registered voters at the signature deadline. 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. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval. However, the number of affirmative votes cast for the measure must be greater than 35% of the total votes cast in the election.
Veto referendums
- See also: Veto referendum
A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. This type of ballot measure is also called statute referendum, popular referendum, people's veto, or citizen's veto. There are 23 states that allow citizens to initiate veto referendums.
In Nebraska, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 5% of registered voters at the signature deadline for a referendum and 10% of registered voters to suspend the law until the referendum. 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 for veto referendums are due 90 days following the final adjournment of the legislative session at which the targeted bill was passed. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval. However, the number of affirmative votes cast for the measure must be greater than 35% of the total votes cast in the election.
Legislative referrals
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
A 60% supermajority vote is required during one legislative session for the Nebraska State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 30 votes in the unicameral legislature, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval. However, the number of affirmative votes cast for the measure must be greater than 35% of the total votes cast in the election. This also applies to citizen initiatives.
External links
See also
Footnotes
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