Nebraska 1996 ballot measures
In 1996, voters decided on four statewide ballot measures in Nebraska on May 14 and seven on November 5.
- Seven were legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
- Four were initiated constitutional amendments.
- Voters approved five (45.5%) and rejected six (54.5%).
On the ballot
May 14
| Type | Title | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Authorize the state legislature to provide for mediation, binding arbitration agreements, and other forms of dispute resolution |
|
172,882 (71%) |
69,218 (29%) |
|
| Amendment 2 | Authorize state legislature to not read bills before final passage if three-fifths of the members vote to do so |
|
160,443 (65%) |
88,208 (35%) |
|
| Amendment 3 | Establish crime victims' rights in the state constitution, including being informed of all criminal court proceedings and the right to be present at the trial, among others |
|
194,964 (78%) |
54,950 (22%) |
|
| Amendment 4 | Establish the powers and duties for the Tax Equalization and Review Commission |
|
127,718 (54%) |
110,594 (46%) |
November 5
| Type | Title | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Remove restriction that pari-mutuel betting on horse races occur only at licensed racetracks |
|
236,600 (38%) |
388,462 (62%) |
|
| Amendment 2 | Provide for the merging and consolidation of counties and other local governments |
|
268,418 (47%) |
301,064 (53%) |
|
| Amendment 3 | Authorize state legislators to participate in the state employee benefits and retirement programs |
|
194,662 (33%) |
389,637 (67%) |
|
| Initiative Measure 409 | Instruct Nebraska's members of Congress and state legislators to support the ratification of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that limits U.S. Representatives to three terms and U.S. Senators to two terms |
|
345,071 (58%) |
246,665 (42%) |
|
| Initiative Measure 410 | Provide that the number of signatures needed for initiative and referendum petitions be based on the number of votes in the previous gubernatorial election |
|
242,687 (42%) |
330,112 (58%) |
|
| Initiative Measure 411 | Establish "quality education" as a fundamental constitutional right and require the legislature to establish a school finance system to provide sufficient education in all public schools |
|
146,426 (22%) |
506,246 (78%) |
|
| Initiative Measure 412 | Establish property tax levy limits for governmental subdivisions and require the legislature to establish efficiency standards for the delivery of local governmental services |
|
167,204 (25%) |
490,113 (75%) |
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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