Nebraska decided on 424 ballot measures since 1860, seven years before statehood
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 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.
Explore the topics below for detailed information:
This section provides a table to search Nebraska historical ballot measures by decade and keyword.
This section summarizes notable topics voters have decided on.
This section highlights measures with the closest and widest margins, as well as the breakdown by topic, decade, and type.
This section describes the process of placing a statewide measure on the ballot.
Historic Ballot Measure Lookup Tool
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | LRCA | Change State Legislative Term Limits from Two to Three Consecutive Terms Amendment | Change the legislative term limit from two consecutive four-year terms to three | On the ballot |
| 2024 | CICA | Initiative 434 | Prohibit abortion after the first trimester, except in cases of medical emergencies or if the pregnancy is the result of sexual assault or incest | Approved |
| 2024 | CISS | Initiative 436 | Require employers to provide earned paid sick leave for employees | Approved |
| 2024 | CISS | Initiative 437 | Legalize the medical use of marijuana in the state | Approved |
| 2024 | CISS | Initiative 438 | Establish the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to regulate the state's medical marijuana program | Approved |
| 2024 | CICA | Initiative 439 | Provide for a state constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability | Defeated |
| 2024 | VR | Referendum 435 | Uphold the law providing for an education scholarship program for students to attend accredited private schools | Defeated |
| 2022 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize local governments to spend revenue to develop commercial air travel service at local airports | Approved |
| 2022 | CICA | Initiative 432 | Require photo identification in order to vote | Approved |
| 2022 | CISS | Initiative 433 | Increase the minimum wage from $9 to $15 by 2026 | Approved |
| 2020 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Repeals language allowing slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishments | Approved |
| 2020 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Allows TIF for 20 years for extreme blight | Approved |
| 2020 | CISS | Initiative 428 | Limits the interest rate that payday lenders charge to 36 percent per year | Approved |
| 2020 | CICA | Initiative 429 | Changes the constitution to allow statutes authorizing games of chance at licensed racetracks | Approved |
| 2020 | CISS | Initiative 430 | Authorizes games of chance at licensed racetracks and establishes a governing commission | Approved |
| 2020 | CISS | Initiative 431 | Enacts a tax on any games of chance operated at racetracks | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | CISS | Initiative 427 | The Nebraska Medicaid Expansion Initiative is on the ballot in Nebraska as an initiated state statute on November 6, 2018. | Approved |
| 2016 | VR | Referendum 426 | Repeal or maintain a law eliminating the death penalty in Nebraska | Defeated |
| 2014 | CISS | Initiative 425 | Increase the state's hourly minimum wage to $9 by January 1, 2016 | Approved |
| 2012 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Make any misdemeanor while in pursuit of office grounds for impeachment of a civil officer | Approved |
| 2012 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Increase the consecutive term limit from two terms to three terms | Defeated |
| 2012 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Increase state legislator's salaries to $22,500 | Defeated |
| 2012 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife | Approved |
| 2010 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize nonprofit organizations to use bonds for certain construction projects and equipment needs | Approved |
| 2010 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize municipalities to fund economic and industrial development through property taxes, local option sales taxes, or other general taxes | Approved |
| 2010 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Abolish the office of state treasurer | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Remove requirement that municipalities and villages can only use general tax revenue to fund economic and industrial development projects | Defeated |
| 2008 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize cities to invest public endowment funds | Approved |
| 2008 | CICA | Measure 424 | Prohibit any political subdivision and institutions of higher learning from discriminating against or giving preferential treatment to any person based on their race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin | Approved |
| 2006 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize the use of bonds to develop and lease property by nonprofit organizations | Defeated |
| 2006 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Increase the annual salary of legislators to $21,000 and allow the salary to increase annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index | Defeated |
| 2006 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the investment of public endowment funds in such manner as the governing body of political subdivisions determined | Defeated |
| 2006 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Increase the allocation of state lottery proceeds from $500,000 to $1 million for the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund | Defeated |
| 2006 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Authorize executive and judicial departments to supervise individuals on probation, released on parole, or enrolled in court programs | Approved |
| 2006 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Create an early childhood education endowment fund | Approved |
| 2006 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Extend TIF authority to county governments and municipalities, remove "substandard and blighted" requirement for TIF, and extend repayment time from 15 to 30 years | Defeated |
| 2006 | CISS | Initiative Measure 421 | Authorize the use of video keno gaming devices | Defeated |
| 2006 | CICA | Initiative Measure 423 | Impose a spending limit on the state budget calculated using the previous appropriations, the rate of inflation, and population change | Defeated |
| 2006 | VR | Referendum Measure 422 | Repeal LB 125, which dissolved all Class I school districts | Defeated |
| 2004 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize the state legislature to exempt from property tax improvements in whole or in part made to historically significant real property | Approved |
| 2004 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Remove the lieutenant governor as the presiding officer of the state legislature, designate the speaker as the presiding officer, and eliminate the provision that allows the lieutenant governor to vote on issues in the case of a tie | Defeated |
| 2004 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Defines casino gaming and allows the legislature to authorize up to two casino locations upon approval of voters in the affected counties | Defeated |
| 2004 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Require the legislature to appropriate 10% of state lottery proceeds to the Nebraska State Fair Board | Approved |
| 2004 | CICA | Initiative Measure 417 | Authorize citizen initiatives to enact laws to authorize, operate, regulate, and tax all forms of casino gaming | Defeated |
| 2004 | CICA | Initiative Measure 418 | Require a two-thirds supermajority vote by the state legislature to modify or repeal approved citizen initiatives | Approved |
| 2004 | CISS | Initiative Measure 419 | Levy an annual tax on gaming revenue, distribute percentages of gaming revenue to the state and other communities, and establish an annual fee on gaming operators | Approved |
| 2004 | CISS | Initiative Measure 420 | Create a state gaming commission and allow communities to authorize games of chance and the use of gaming devices at casinos, racetracks, and establishments that sell alcoholic liquor on the premises | Defeated |
| 2002 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Eliminates an English language requirement for private, denominational, and parochial schools | Defeated |
| 2002 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize municipalities to issue revenue bonds to acquire, own, develop, lease, or finance property to be used by nonprofit enterprises | Defeated |
| 2000 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Change the method of nominating and electing the lieutenant governor by having the governor and lieutenant governor be elected jointly | Approved |
| 2000 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Repeal an English language requirement for private, denominational, and parochial schools | Defeated |
| 2000 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Require that the language of the constitution be changed to gender neutral terms and direct the secretary of state to revise the constitution to reflect this change | Defeated |
| 2000 | LRCA | Amendment 3A | Require two separate votes at two separate elections for a constitutional amendment to be ratified | Defeated |
| 2000 | LRCA | Amendment 3B | Define the powers of the initiative and referendum and remove obsolete language | Approved |
| 2000 | LRCA | Amendment 3C | Change filing requirements for initiative petitions by increasing the timeframe by which petitions filed with the secretary of state must be submitted to electors from four to nine months | Defeated |
| 2000 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Change the procedures for increasing judicial compensation by requiring that the changes take place for all judges at the beginning of a term rather than for each court individually | Approved |
| 2000 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Require legislators to resign upon election to other state or local offices | Approved |
| 2000 | CICA | Initiative Measure 415 | Provide that legislators not be eligible for office in the legislature for four years after serving two consecutive terms | Approved |
| 2000 | CICA | Initiative Measure 416 | Define marriage as between one man and one woman | Overturned |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Provide that no person shall be denied equal protection under the law | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Requires state executive officers to reside in the state | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 2A | Require that vehicle tax revenue be allocated to the local jurisdictions where the tax is levied | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 2B | Authorize legislation that relates to mergers and consolidations of local governments | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 2C | Provide that government property is exempt from taxation to the extent the property is used for public purposes | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 2D | Repeal references to townships and towns in the state constitution | Defeated |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Require legislative committees to hold open meetings and to record and publish certain votes | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 3A | Allows Supreme Court justices to reside anywhere in the state | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 3B | Provide for statewide retention elections of supreme court and appellate court judges | Defeated |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Eliminate language permitting imprisonment for debt in cases of fraud | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Eliminate language allowing the suspension of habeas corpus in certain cases | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 5A | Require initiative measures to address only one subject | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 5B | Require referendum measures to address only one act of the legislature | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Provide that the lieutenant governor no longer serve as the presiding officer of the legislature | Defeated |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 7A | Eliminate a requirement that session laws be published in book form | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 7B | Transfer Section 6 of Article 17 to Section 30 of Article 3 related to the state legislature | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 7C | Repeal a requirement that books containing laws of the state also contain printed copies of the constitution as a prefix | Approved |
| 1998 | CICA | Initiative Measure 413 | Limit government spending by limiting state and local tax revenue increases by the rate of inflation, population growth, costs of temporary emergencies, and new unfunded federal mandates | Defeated |
| 1998 | CISS | Initiative Measure 414 | Authorize the Public Service Commission to set access charges imposed by local telephone carriers | Defeated |
| 1996 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize the state legislature to provide for mediation, binding arbitration agreements, and other forms of dispute resolution | Approved |
| 1996 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Remove restriction that pari-mutuel betting on horse races occur only at licensed racetracks | Defeated |
| 1996 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Provide for the merging and consolidation of counties and other local governments | Defeated |
| 1996 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize state legislature to not read bills before final passage if three-fifths of the members vote to do so | Approved |
| 1996 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize state legislators to participate in the state employee benefits and retirement programs | Defeated |
| 1996 | LRCA | 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 | Approved |
| 1996 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Establish the powers and duties for the Tax Equalization and Review Commission | Approved |
| 1996 | CICA | 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 | Approved |
| 1996 | CICA | 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 | Defeated |
| 1996 | CICA | 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 | Defeated |
| 1996 | CICA | 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 | Defeated |
| 1994 | CICA | Initiative Measure 408 | Set term limits for certain state and federal congressional officials | Overturned |
| 1992 | LRCA | Amendment 1A | Establish a state lottery system | Approved |
| 1992 | LRCA | Amendment 1B | Authorize proceeds from the lottery to be used to compensate depositors of industrial loan and investment companies for losses | Defeated |
| 1992 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Separate tangible personal property from the uniform and proportionate provision that applied to real property for tax purposes | Approved |
| 1992 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize counties and municipalities to approve, deny, suspend, cancel, or revoke retail and bottle club liquor licenses | Approved |
| 1992 | CICA | Initiative Measure 407 | Set term limits for certain state and federal congressional officials | Overturned |
| 1990 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Provide that agricultural and horticultural lands be classified separately for tax purposes | Approved |
| 1990 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Provide the right of direct appeal to the Supreme Court in capital cases and the right of appeal to the appellate court in all other cases | Approved |
| 1990 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize municipalities to use local sources of revenue for economic and industrial development, upon voter approval | Approved |
| 1990 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Creates the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education | Approved |
| 1990 | CICA | Initiative Measure 404 | Establish a state lottery system | Defeated |
| 1990 | CICA | Initiative Measure 405 | Limits budgets of state and local governments to an increase of 2% each year | Defeated |
| 1990 | VR | Referendum 406 | Retain a law that increased state support for public schools and reduced reliance on property taxes through increased sales and income taxes | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Change provisions relating to the redevelopment of blighted property by municipalities to further define the project area to allow just a portion of the property to be eligible for financing | Approved |
| 1988 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Increase state senator salaries from $400 to $1,000 per month | Approved |
| 1988 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize pari-mutuel wagering on horse races conducted at licensed racetracks | Approved |
| 1988 | LRCA | Amendment 3A | Provide that only registered voters, instead of all electors, are eligible to sign petitions for initiatives and referendums | Approved |
| 1988 | LRCA | Amendment 3B | Authorize individuals who turn 18 years old on or before a general election date to vote during the calendar year of their 18th birthday | Approved |
| 1988 | CISS | Initiative Measure 402 | Withdraw Nebraska from the Central Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact | Defeated |
| 1988 | CICA | Initiative Measure 403 | Establish the right to keep and bear arms for lawful purposes in the state constitution | Approved |
| 1986 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Change the date on which the legislature convened as well as the date of when a member's term commenced | Defeated |
| 1986 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Change the legislature's impeachment procedures to allow proceedings to begin in a regular or special session, require that impeachment resolutions give notice of acts or omissions alleged to constitute the impeachments, and change the time in which the chief justice has to convene the supreme court to try the case from 10 days to "in an expeditious fashion" | Approved |
| 1986 | VR | Referendum 400 | Repeal a law that required elementary school only districts to merge with districts that contained a high school | Defeated |
| 1986 | VR | Referendum 401 | Repeal a law that would have required drivers and front seat passengers of vehicles to wear seat belts | Defeated |
| 1984 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow proceeds from forfeited or confiscated property to be divided among school funds and counties for the purpose of drug enforcement | Approved |
| 1984 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Change provisions and procedures relating to disciplinary actions against judges | Approved |
| 1984 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Allow municipalities to incur indebtedness to rehabilitate, acquire, and redevelop blighted property | Approved |
| 1984 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Authorize the legislature to classify agricultural and horticultural land separately | Approved |
| 1982 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Provide that legislators receive a salary of not more than one-third of the governor's salary | Defeated |
| 1982 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Require an at-large reading of all legislative bills before final passage | Defeated |
| 1982 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the use of bonds to develop blighted property | Approved |
| 1982 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Limit the right of redemption of real estate sold for nonpayment of taxes to a period of six months when the real estate is located within an incorporated city, village, or in a sanitary and improvement district | Defeated |
| 1982 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Allow legislators to be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties | Defeated |
| 1982 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Authorize the issuance of bonds to provide for the construction of water retention or impoundment structures for conservation | Approved |
| 1982 | CICA | Initiative Measure 300 | Prohibit the purchase of farm and ranch lands by anyone other than Nebraska family farm corporations | Approved |
| 1980 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Change the number and formation of the Supreme Court judicial districts | Defeated |
| 1980 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow the governor to fill vacancies in the office of lieutenant governor | Approved |
| 1980 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Change the membership of the Commission on Judicial Qualifications and provide for additional disciplinary measures for judges | Approved |
| 1980 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Create a compensation review commission, which would have had the authority to recommend changes in salaries and expenses for state officials | Defeated |
| 1980 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize the legislature to provide tax exemptions for energy conservation improvements | Approved |
| 1980 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Enact a system of public education financing that did not impose unfair or excessive property tax burdens | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow cities and villages to issue bonds for the redevelopment of properties, with repayment funded by increased property tax revenue from the redeveloped properties. | Approved |
| 1978 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Allow cities and counties to issue revenue bonds for non-manufacturing commercial or business enterprises. | Defeated |
| 1978 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Provide property tax exemptions for the increased value of property due to the installation of direct alternate energy systems. | Defeated |
| 1978 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Maintain the monthly salary of legislators at $400 and allow legislators to receive per diem compensation | Defeated |
| 1978 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Allow surviving spouses of retired public employees to receive retroactive additional retirement benefits that might be provided to future retirees' spouses. | Approved |
| 1978 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Add certain sexual assaults to the list of non-bailable crimes | Approved |
| 1978 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Require the Board of Equalization to provide state-set separate tax levies and annual equalization for multi-county subdivisions | Approved |
| 1978 | CISS | Initiative Measure 301 | Require that all beverage containers offered for sale have a refund value of at least five cents | Defeated |
| 1978 | CISS | Initiative Measure 302 | Limit the percentage to 5% by which a political subdivision's budget could increase each year | Defeated |
| 1978 | VR | Referendum 300 | Repeal law that increased financial support from the state for public schools | Defeated |
| 1976 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Remove the constitutional requirement for reading every bill in full before the final vote, providing the legislature the authority to determine the reading process. | Defeated |
| 1976 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Allow individual voting on specific items within appropriations bills when overriding the governor's veto. | Approved |
| 1976 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Change the legislative convening date to the second Monday in December, with session lengths depending on whether it was an odd or even year. | Defeated |
| 1976 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Remove the Lieutenant Governor as the presiding officer of the legislature, allowing the legislature to determine its own presiding officer. | Defeated |
| 1976 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Allow the legislature to authorize cities and counties to issue bonds for redeveloping properties, paid off through increased property taxes. | Defeated |
| 1976 | LRCA | Amendment 6a | Allow the state or political subdivisions to contract with non-public institutions for nonsectarian services to handicapped children. | Approved |
| 1976 | LRCA | Amendment 6b | Allow the legislature to provide loans or grants to students attending non-public post-secondary institutions for nonsectarian purposes. | Defeated |
| 1976 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Allow cities and counties to use revenue bonds for non-manufacturing commercial or business enterprises. | Defeated |
| 1976 | LRCA | Amendment 8 | Set the salary of legislators at $675 per month. | Defeated |
| 1974 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Increase the salary for legislators to a maximum of $675 per month. | Defeated |
| 1974 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Add three nonvoting student members, including student body presidents from various University of Nebraska campuses, to the Board of Regents. | Approved |
| 1974 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Change the date and time for the legislature's annual convening to 10:00 A.M. on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January. | Approved |
| 1974 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Remove the Lieutenant Governor as the presiding officer of the legislature, allowing the legislature to choose a new officer in their place. | Defeated |
| 1974 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Remove obsolete language concerning the submission of orders, resolutions or votes of the legislature to the governor. | Approved |
| 1974 | VR | Referendum 1 | Provide increased financial support from the state to public schools. | Defeated |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 10 | Revise constitutional provisions relating to education and clarify the authority of the legislature regarding the education of persons not between the ages of five and 21 years of age. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 10 | Repeal the obsolete provision regarding the election of U.S. Senators. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 11 | Revise Article 17 to remove obsolete language and sections related to elections and terms of office. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 11 | Authorize the legislature to grant municipalities the power to finance and maintain off-street parking through special assessments or taxes. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 12 | Transfer provisions for industrial development bonds to a new section and remove outdated provisions concerning donations to railroads and internal improvements. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 12 | Increase the judicial nominating commissions, change voting rules, require public release of candidates' names, and clarify voting procedures for Supreme Court nominations. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 13 | Allow the legislature to adjust retirement benefits for public employees based on changes in cost of living and wage levels after retirement. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 13 | Clarify constitutional provisions concerning the militia. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 14 | Remove the State Tax Commissioner from the State Board of Equalization and Assessment and add a new member to the Board by the legislature. | Defeated |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 14 | Clarify and revise constitutional provisions concerning corporations, including retaining regulatory powers and transferring certain sections. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 15a | Remove the six-month residency requirement, allowing the legislature to determine proper residency and expanding voting methods to include electronic voting. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 15b | Eliminate the requirement that individuals be exempt from military duty on election day and clarify the use of voting machines. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 15c | Allow the legislature to determine the residency of members of the U.S. armed forces stationed in Nebraska and voting methods other than paper ballots. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 15 | Remove exceptions for legislative eligibility and provide standards and definitions for determining conflicts of interest from the legislature. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 16 | Provide that state public funds not be appropriated to private schools not owned or controlled by the state. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 16 | Change the name of the State Railway Commission to the Public Service Commission. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Remove obsolete language about a bicameral legislature. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Require legislators to be 21 years old and make necessary terminology corrections. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Reduce the required vote for changing the number of judges and judicial district boundaries to a simple majority. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Remove restrictions on the duration of legislative appropriations and the limitation on deficiency appropriations. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Require the governor to submit a budget bill, change veto powers, and require a three-fifths vote to override vetoes and amendments exceeding the budget. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Allow the legislature to set its own salary, removing the fixed $400 per month limit. | Defeated |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Allow the creation or abolishment of juvenile court judicial districts by a majority of voters, rather than requiring a majority vote of all electors in the district. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Provide the right of appeal in all felony cases. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Clarify the Legislature's duty to certify the election of the candidate with the highest number of votes for each elective executive office. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Rearrange provisions for handling vacancies in office and the line of succession to the governor. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Clarify language concerning the eligibility of persons for public office. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Remove outdated language in the constitution that related to the bicameral, or two-house, legislature. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Remove language requiring a biennial budget for the Supreme Court and require the Supreme Court to conform their budget preparation with the annual sessions of the legislature. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Allow the legislature to base land valuations for agricultural and horticultural use solely on its current use, without considering potential non-farm development value. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 8 | Allow members and employees of the legislature to be included in the state retirement system that covers other state officers and employees. | Defeated |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 8 | Reduce the minimum voting age to 18 years. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 9 | Provide per diem compensation for legislators when the legislature is not in session. | Defeated |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 9 | Allow state and local governments to work jointly or cooperatively with other governmental entities. | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 10 | Authorize the legislature to classify and exempt personal property from taxation. | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | 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 | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 12 | Allow the Legislature to grant financial assistance to nonpublic school students for tuition related to state-approved courses | Defeated |
| 1970 | LRCA | 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. | Defeated |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 13b | Elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor as a single ticket from the same political party | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 13c | Provide that the Lieutenant Governor perform duties in lieu of the Governor when needed and perform duties as delegated by the Governor. | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 14 | Create a nine-member Board of Trustees for Higher Education to govern all higher education institutions in Nebraska. | Defeated |
| 1970 | LRCA | 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. | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Lowering the minimum voting age to 20 years. | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Require the legislature to reapportion the Supreme Court judicial districts every ten years based on the federal census. | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Eliminate the requirement to read bills in full before a final vote in the legislature. | Defeated |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Allow the Supreme Court to call retired judges for temporary duty to fill vacancies. | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Issue revenue bonds for educational facilities, including dormitories, athletic, and medical facilities. | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Remove the constitutional limit on county property tax levies and allow the legislature to set mill levy limits. | Defeated |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Create a commission to set legislative salaries and expenses every two years. | Defeated |
| 1970 | LRCA | 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. | Defeated |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 9 | Provide the Nebraska Supreme Court administrative authority over all courts and eliminate justices of the peace. | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 10 | Create public corporations for the generation, transmission, or sale of electricity. | Defeated |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 11a | Change the restriction on legislators being appointed to other state offices to prohibit such appointments while holding legislative office | Approved |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 11b | Allow legislative compensation to be increased or decreased at the same time when legislators' terms begin at different times. | Approved |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 12 | Provide property tax exemptions for a portion of the value of any residence occupied as a homestead, based on a classification of owners. | Approved |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 13 | Allow the state to guarantee or provide long-term, low-interest loans to Nebraska residents seeking adult education or post-high school education. | Approved |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 14 | Authorize bonds for highway construction three-fifths legislative approval and use state revenue related to highway use for repayment. | Approved |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 15 | Limit the salary of legislators to $400 per month. | Approved |
| 1968 | CICA | Amendment 16 | Prohibit Nebraska from levying an income tax for state purposes. | Defeated |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Redue the voting age to 19 years. | Defeated |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Rename normal schools as colleges and authorize the legislature to designate the name of their governing body. | Approved |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Create laws for consolidating county offices across multiple counties, with disapproval rights granted to each affected county | Approved |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Provide the Supreme Court original jurisdiction in election contests concerning state officers, excluding legislators. | Approved |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Authorize the legislature to call special elections for submitting proposed constitutional amendments to the electors. | Approved |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Allow the legislature to classify personal property and to exempt any classes of personal property from taxation. | Defeated |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Increase the number of regents for the University of Nebraska and require the legislature to redistrict the state for their election. | Approved |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 8 | Permit lotteries, raffles, and gift enterprises that are solely intended for business promotions or charitable/community betterment purposes without profit for the promoter. | Approved |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 9 | Establish a Board of Parole, setting the qualifications for its members, and granting the power to pardon to the Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State acting as a board. | Approved |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 10 | Allow the legislature to manage the payment or cancellation of taxes on real estate owned or acquired by the state or its subdivisions. | Approved |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 11 | Deduct the costs of administering unsold school lands before distributing income from these lands. | Approved |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 12a | Allow the legislature to determine how educational funds should be invested | Approved |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 12b | Allow the legislature to determine how funds from the state and local political subdivisions should be invested | Approved |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 13a | Change how the members of the legislature are apportioned for election. | Approved |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 13b | Authorize the legislature to specify representation in districts that have been changed by reapportionment. | Approved |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 14 | Prohibit the state from levying a property tax for state purposes once a general sales or income tax is adopted and require at least 20% of the revenue to be allocated to public schools. | Defeated |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 15 | Exempt life insurance, annuity contracts, and rights to pension or retirement payments from the intangible property tax. | Approved |
| 1966 | CICA | Amendment 16 | Prohibit the state from levying a property tax for state purposes. | Approved |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Eliminate the ineligibility of executive state officers to hold any other state office during their elected term. | Approved |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the payment of travel expenses and a per diem to legislators while they are in session. | Defeated |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Allow the state or governmental subdivisions to enter into contracts for services or training with private, commercial, and vocational schools. | Defeated |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Increase the number of members on the State Board of Education from six to eight and reduce the terms from six to four years. | Approved |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Authorize the legislature to fix the value of land actively devoted to agricultural or horticultural use. | Defeated |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Provide transportation services for children attending any elementary or secondary school. | Defeated |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Provide a procedure for the removal or retirement of any Justice or judge of any court in the state. | Approved |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 8 | Allow the legislature to base the state's income tax on federal laws. | Approved |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 9 | Limit the Governor to two consecutive terms. | Approved |
| 1966 | VR | Referendum 1 | Establish a state income tax. | Defeated |
| 1964 | CICA | Amendment 1 | Provide four-year terms for the Commissioner of Education and supervisory authority over the state school system. | Defeated |
| 1964 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Increase the term of office for the Secretary of State, Auditor of Public Accounts, Treasurer, and Attorney General to four years. | Approved |
| 1964 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Provide tax exemptions for homes substantially contributed to by the Veterans' Administration for a paraplegic or multiple amputee veteran. | Approved |
| 1964 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Classify intangible property for taxation purposes and exempt intangible property held for employee benefit plans, such as pensions or profit-sharing, from taxation. | Approved |
| 1964 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Authorize a different method for taxing motor vehicles held for resale by dealers and those owned by state residents, registered in the state, and operating in interstate commerce. | Approved |
| 1964 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Realign the duties of certain state executive officers. | Approved |
| 1964 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Authorize the legislature to define, classify, and regulate loans and installment sales, establishing maximum rates for them. | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow lottery or gift enterprises. | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Provide for three to seven members for the State Railway Commission, elected from districts with equal populations. | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Allow the Lieutenant Governor to run for Governor. | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Increase the term of office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to four years. | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Increase state senators’ terms from two years to four years | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Establish a merit plan for selecting judges and determining their terms of office. | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Use lines other than county lines for legislative redistricting, prioritizing population with consideration of area. | Approved |
| 1960 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow the legislature to create laws to ensure government continuity in emergencies from enemy attacks or threats. | Approved |
| 1960 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the legislature to decide whether preferred stockholders have voting rights and whether their stock is of equal par value with other stock. | Approved |
| 1960 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize the legislature to establish a new method for taxing livestock, including proportional taxation for livestock in the state for part of the year. | Approved |
| 1960 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Authorize the legislature to define how elections for executive offices may be contested | Approved |
| 1960 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Authorize the establishment of bonded warehouses and exempt goods in transit from ad valorem taxation while stored there. | Approved |
| 1960 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Allow multiple county judges to be elected and form judicial districts for county judges. | Approved |
| 1960 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Limit legislative salaries to a maximum of $200 per month. | Approved |
| 1960 | LRCA | Amendment 8 | Allow local governments to acquire, develop, and lease property to private enterprises, including issuing bonds for the purpose | Approved |
| 1960 | CICA | Amendment 9 | Establish the election of a Commissioner of Education by non-political ballot. | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Change the residency requirement for certain executive officers to reside at the seat of government. | Approved |
| 1958 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the legislature to clear property titles by releasing property from unpaid tax and assessment charges after a period of 15 years. | Approved |
| 1958 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Provide for succession to the office of Governor when the Speaker of the Legislature cannot perform the duties. | Approved |
| 1958 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Authorize the legislature to manage, control, and govern state charitable, mental, reformatory, and penal institutions. | Approved |
| 1958 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Increase the salary of members of the legislature. | Defeated |
| 1958 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Establish a separate juvenile court. | Approved |
| 1958 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Permit municipal corporations to acquire, lease property, and issue revenue bonds for private enterprises. | Defeated |
| 1958 | CICA | Amendment 8 | Provide a tax on electricity and irrigation corporations' retail sales, with revenues allocated to local governments and the state. | Approved |
| 1958 | CICA | Amendment 9 | Authorize the legislature to regulate and license bingo games for non-profits with a five-year existence. | Approved |
| 1956 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Change the allocation of penalties and regulations for overloading vehicles on public roads and highways. | Approved |
| 1956 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Change the basis for taxing grain and seed. | Approved |
| 1956 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Allow the legislature to forgive unpaid taxes and assessment charges on real property after a specified period. | Defeated |
| 1956 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Remove the restriction on how often the salaries of certain officers can be adjusted. | Approved |
| 1956 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Authorize the legislature to appoint a Tax Commissioner or Commission and define its jurisdiction and powers. | Defeated |
| 1956 | CISS | Initiative 1 | Establish a highway use tax on large trucks and buses, with revenue directed to road maintenance and related infrastructure. | Defeated |
| 1954 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Remove the restriction on changing the salaries of certain officers more than once every eight years | Defeated |
| 1954 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the legislature to determine how members of the Board of Educational Lands and Funds are appointed. | Approved |
| 1954 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Change the residence requirements for certain executive officers | Defeated |
| 1954 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Allow the legislature to establish methods for valuing real or tangible property at uniform values. | Approved |
| 1954 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Authorize the legislature to appoint county assessors and boards of equalization for counties or other taxing districts | Defeated |
| 1954 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Allow the exemption of household goods and personal effects from taxation and the legislature to establish a formula for their valuation. | Approved |
| 1954 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Prohibit the state from levying a property tax for state purposes if a general sales tax, income tax, or a combination of both is enacted. | Approved |
| 1954 | LRCA | Amendment 8 | Allow the legislature to appoint a Tax Commissioner or establish a Tax Commission with defined powers. | Defeated |
| 1952 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow for changes in compensation for members of a court, board, or commission when their terms start and end at different times. | Approved |
| 1952 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Allow the legislature to change the method of taxing motor vehicles | Approved |
| 1952 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Increase the annual salary for legislators to $1,250. Note: Although this measure gathered more "yes" votes, 35 percent of the total 616,236 votes in the entire election (215,683 votes) were needed for the measure to be approved. | Defeated |
| 1952 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Create a State Department of Education, with a Board of Education, and a Commissioner of Education. | Approved |
| 1952 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Authorize the legislature determining the number of members for a constitutional convention and defining election districts. | Approved |
| 1952 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Require publishing constitutional amendment notices in newspapers for three consecutive weeks | Approved |
| 1950 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow either annual or biennial legislative sessions, with restrictions on business transacted in even-numbered years and four-year terms for legislators. | Defeated |
| 1950 | VR | Referendum 1 | Reject the provisions of Legislative Bill No. 399, which proposed increasing gasoline and excise taxes on motor vehicle fuels and changing their allocation. | Approved |
| 1950 | VR | Referendum 2 | Reject Legislative Bill No. 401, which proposed increasing registration fees for vehicles burning fuel subject to motor vehicle fuel tax laws and changing their allocation. | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow taxation on reservations of mineral rights and fissionable materials in land and royalties. | Defeated |
| 1948 | CISS | Initiative 1 | Provide compensation and eligibility terms for World War II veterans, create a veteran's compensation fund, and a property tax levy for funding. | Defeated |
| 1946 | CICA | Amendment 1 | Prohibit employment discrimination based on labor organization membership | Approved |
| 1946 | CICA | Amendment 2 | Require the legislature to raise funds for public schools from sources other than property taxes, ensuring a minimum of $40 per pupil for daily attendance. | Defeated |
| 1944 | CICA | Amendment 1 | Provide that all proceeds from motor vehicle registration fees, license taxes, and fuel taxes go towards the construction and maintenance of public highways in Nebraska. | Defeated |
| 1944 | CISS | Initiative 1 | Prohibit the manufacture, sale, and use of intoxicating liquors. | Defeated |
| 1942 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow counties to choose their form of government for county officers. | Defeated |
| 1940 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Provide that the the Superintendent of Public Instruction be a member of the Board of Educational Lands and Funds. | Approved |
| 1940 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Allow the legislature to provide an optional form of county government with elective or appointive officers. | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | CICA | Amendment 1 | Authorize the regulation of slot machines and coin-operated devices, with license revenue directed to state funds and local school districts. | Defeated |
| 1938 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Repeal the provision fixing individual liability of stockholders in banking corporations. | Approved |
| 1938 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Provide that the offices of attorney general, secretary of state, and state treasurer be appointive offices instead of elective offices. | Defeated |
| 1938 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Add the Superintendent of Public Instruction to the Board of Educational Lands and Funds. | Defeated |
| 1938 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Change the Board of Pardons to include the Governor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Auditor of Public Accounts. | Defeated |
| 1938 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Allow the recall of elective executive state officers, requiring a petition signed by 25% of the voters who voted for Governor. | Defeated |
| 1936 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Eliminate the office of Commissioner of Public Lands and Buildings in Nebraska. | Approved |
| 1936 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Repeal the provision fixing individual liability of stockholders in banking corporations or institutions in Nebraska. | Defeated |
| 1934 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Repeal the prohibition on the manufacture, sale, and keeping for sale of alcoholic beverages in Nebraska. | Approved |
| 1934 | CICA | Amendment 2 | Establish a a non-partisan, unicameral legislature in Nebraska with 30 to 50 members. | Approved |
| 1934 | CICA | Amendment 3 | Provide for the legalization, licensing, and regulation of wagering on horse races by the pari-mutuel or certificate method. | Approved |
| 1932 | CISS | Initiative 1 | Create the Nebraska Public Safety Commission to oversee law enforcement duties and training, funded by state taxes and fees. | Defeated |
| 1930 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Provide that stockholders are personally liable in the event of banking institution failure, with immediate collection of the liability. | Approved |
| 1930 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Allow the state to use up to $8 million in treasury funds to pay any deficit of the Depositors Guaranty Fund and to stabilize the banking system. | Defeated |
| 1930 | CISS | Initiative 1 | Allow cities and public electric utilities to extend power systems to serve rural areas and finance the expansion. | Defeated |
| 1930 | CISS | Initiative 2 | Allow cities to extend power lines to rural areas, fund the project with earnings, and impose restrictions on the sale of public utilities. | Approved |
| 1930 | CISS | Initiative 3 | Prohibit the sale of public utilities without voter approval. | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Transfer jurisdiction over the Nebraska School for the Deaf and the Nebraska School for the Blind to the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. | Approved |
| 1924 | CICA | Amendment 1 | Allow the direct primary nomination of candidates for public offices and require ballots to exclude party names or symbols. | Defeated |
| 1922 | VR | Referendum 1 | Require that the establishment of a bank must demonstrate public convenience, advantage, and necessity. | Approved |
| 1922 | VR | Referendum 2 | Prohibit interference with people seeking work, including picketing, loitering, and other forms of intimidation. | Approved |
| 1922 | VR | Referendum 3 | Change the delegate selection processes, primary election timing, and the nomination procedures for political parties. | Defeated |
| 1922 | VR | Referendum 4 | Allow voter registration at any time before an election and clarify requirements for casting a ballot, including a 30-day prior registration deadline. | Defeated |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 10 | Prohibit raising salaries during a legislator's term of office. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 11 | Reserve mineral rights in state lands. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 12 | Eliminate obsolete provisions for legislative apportionment. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 13 | Allow the creation of new executive offices with a two-thirds legislative vote, transfer pardoning power to a board, and establish the executive budget. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 14 | Create the office of Tax Commissioner and establish a Board of Equalization. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 15 | Revise court procedures to allow the Supreme Court to sit in division, with the chief justice presiding over each division. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 16 | Require the concurrence of five Supreme Court judges to declare laws unconstitutional. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 17 | Provide for the election of Supreme Court judges by districts. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 18 | Provide for women's suffrage in state constitution | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 19 | Allow soldiers to vote while out of the state on duty. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize five-sixths jury verdicts in civil cases. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 20 | Provide for the distribution of the temporary school fund. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 21 | Prohibit the sale of school lands except at public auction. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 22 | Provide for the election of University Regents by districts. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 23 | Prohibit state aid to sectarian institutions. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 24 | Increase the age for admission to reform schools from 16 to 18. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 25 | Add a Board of Education for Normal Schools. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 26 | Provide uniform and proportional taxes on tangible property and franchises, allowing classification of other property and taxes other than property taxes. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 27 | Provide tax exemptions, including $200 of household goods to each family. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 28 | Set the county tax limit at 50 cents per one hundred dollars of actual valuation. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 29 | Require a majority vote to approve changes in county boundaries. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 2 | Allow regulation by law of property rights of immigrants. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 30 | Require public utility corporations to report to the Railway Commission. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 31 | Prohibit the consolidation of competing public utility corporations without the permission of the Railway Commission. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 32 | The measure regulated the stocks and dividends of public utility corporations. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 33 | Allow metropolitan cities to adopt their present charter as a home rule charter. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 34 | Provide for co-operative features in specific associations, limitations on shares and voting, foreign corporations regulations, and that stocks and bonds be issued only for their actual value. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 35 | Define priority rights in water. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 36 | Provide for public rights in the use of water power. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 37 | Permit regulation of minimum wage and employment conditions for women and children. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 38 | Create an Industrial Commission to administer laws related to labor disputes and profiteering. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 39 | Change the vote requirement for amendments to a simple majority with 35% participation. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 3 | Designate English as the official language of Nebraska | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 40 | Fix increased salaries of state officers, including judges, for at least eight years. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 41 | Eliminate obsolete provisions and provide a continuing schedule in Article XVI by substituting new sections. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 4 | Reduce the percentage of signatures required for initiatives and referendums. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 5 | Require counties with two or more representatives or senators into districts, each electing its own member. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 6 | Increase the number of state senators up to 50. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 7 | Increase legislative salaries from $600 to $800. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 8 | Require a majority vote by roll call on all legislation, including amendments. | Approved |
| 1920 | CCRCA | Amendment 9 | Prohibit the appointment of members of the legislature to state offices. | Approved |
| 1920 | VR | Referendum 1 | Repeal the direct primary law for certain state offices and allow their nominations to be made by party conventions. | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1918 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Require U.S. citizenship for at least 30 days before an election to vote | Approved |
| 1918 | CICA | Amendment 2 | Call a constitutional convention to amend Nebraska's constitution, with any proposed amendments to be submitted separately if demanded by 25% of the convention's elected delegates. | Approved |
| 1916 | CICA | Amendment 1 | Prohibit the manufacture, sale, or keeping of intoxicating liquors in Nebraska, except for specified purposes. | Approved |
| 1916 | CICA | Amendment 2 | Create the position of Food, Drug, Dairy, and Oil Commissioner, transferring authority from the governor to the appointed commissioner to oversee relevant laws and commissions. | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Establish uniform and progressive taxation in the state. | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Allow five-sixths of the jury to render a verdict in civil cases and criminal cases less than felonies. | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Set the term of office and salary for the governor and other executive officers. | Defeated |
| 1914 | CICA | Amendment 4 | Provide women with the right to vote. | Defeated |
| 1914 | CISS | Initiative 1 | Consolidating college state campus on the state farm campus | Defeated |
| 1914 | VR | Referendum 1 | Establish an elective compensation schedule for employees' injuries and determining employer liability. | Approved |
| 1914 | VR | Referendum 2 | Provide $20,000 to establish and construct an armory building at Nebraska City for the state militia, using land from old Fort Kearney. | Defeated |
| 1912 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorizes the use of the initiative and referendum process | Approved |
| 1912 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Set the term of office and salary for members of the legislature in the constitution. | Approved |
| 1912 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Create a Board of Commissioners for State Institutions. | Approved |
| 1912 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Provide that a general election be held every two years. | Approved |
| 1912 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Allow cities with more than 5,000 inhabitants to establish their own city charter. | Approved |
| 1910 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize only male citizens over the age of 21 who have been residents of Nebraska for the six months prior to the election to vote | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Amends the constitution to provide for the election of a seven-member state Supreme Court with six year terms and set the salaries for the justices and district court judges | Approved |
| 1908 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Provide for the investment of the state's permanent school fund | Approved |
| 1906 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Create the Board of Railway Commissioners and provide for the duties and six year terms | Approved |
| 1904 | LRCA | Constitutional Convention Question | Authorize the calling of a constitutional convention to revise the state constitution | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 10 | Require the merging of county and metropolitan governments to be approved by voters | Defeated |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 11 | Provide for lawful methods of voting | Defeated |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 12 | Require local jurisdictions to get voter approval before donating to internal improvements and manufacturers | Defeated |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Increase the state Supreme Court to five justices with terms of at least five years as provided for by law | Defeated |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Provide that compensation of Supreme Court and district judges be established by the legislature, no more than once every four years | Defeated |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Provide that compensation of state executive officers be established by the legislature, no more than once every four years | Defeated |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Vest judicial power in the Supreme Court, district, county and other inferior courts as created by law | Defeated |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Allow the legislature to increase the number of judges on state courts once every four years | Defeated |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Require a five-sixths vote of a jury to convict in civil cases and authorize the legislature to provide trials by juries of less than 12 men in inferior courts | Defeated |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Provide for the offices in the executive department and their terms | Defeated |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 8 | Require a three-fourths vote by the state legislature to create any additional executive state offices | Defeated |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 9 | Authorize the investment of permanent educational funds | Defeated |
| 1892 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Establish state executive offices | Defeated |
| 1892 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the investment of education funds | Defeated |
| 1890 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Prohibit the trafficking of liquor | Defeated |
| 1890 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Provide for liquor trafficking licenses | Defeated |
| 1890 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Increase the number of justices on the Nebraska Supreme Court from three to five for a term of five years | Defeated |
| 1890 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Increase the salaries of supreme court justices from $2,500 to $3,500 and the salaries of district court justices from $2,500 to $3,000 | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1886 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Provide that state legislators have terms of two years, salaries of $5 per day while in session, and that legislative sessions last no more than 60 days at one time | Approved |
| 1884 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Provide that state legislators have terms of two years, salaries of $300, and that legislative sessions last no more than 60 days | Defeated |
| 1884 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Provide that the state executive branch consist of the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor of public accounts, treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Attorney General, Commissioner of Public Lands and Buildings, and Board of Railway Commissioners | Defeated |
| 1882 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Provides for women's suffrage in state constitution | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1875 | CCRCA | State Constitution Adoption Measure | Adopt a new state constitution | Approved |
| 1874 | LRCCQ | Constitutional Convention Question | Authorize a constitutional convention | Approved |
| 1871 | CCRCA | Liability of Stockholders Amendment | Prohibit the creation of a state bank and make every stockholder individually responsible for its liability to its creditors | Defeated |
| 1871 | CCRCA | Local Alcohol Inhibition or License Measure | Authorize local jurisdictions to hold elections to inhibit or license the sale of alcoholic beverages | Defeated |
| 1871 | CCRCA | Prohibit County or Municipal Aid to Corporations Amendment | Prohibit counties or municipalities from financially aiding corporations | Defeated |
| 1871 | CCRCA | Require Public Schooling and Provide for Reform Schools Amendment | Require compulsory education from age eight to 16 and provide for reform schools | Defeated |
| 1871 | CCRCA | State Constitution Ratification Measure | Adopt new state constitution | Defeated |
| 1871 | CCRCA | Women's Suffrage Amendment | Provides for women's suffrage in state constitution | Defeated |
| 1870 | LRCCQ | Constitutional Convention Question | Authorize a constitutional convention | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1866 | LRCA | State Constitution Measure | Adopt a state constitution | Approved |
| 1860 | LRCCQ | Establish State Government Measure | Authorize the formation of state government | Defeated |
Analysis
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of Nebraska ballot measures from 1860 to 2025. Nebraska voters have decided on 424 ballot measures placed on the ballot by successful citizen initiatives and the Nebraska State Legislature. The types of measures decided included initiated state statutes, initiated constitutional amendments, veto referendums, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, constitutional convention questions, and constitutional convention referrals.
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.
Contents
Notable measures and topics
- Voters in the territory of Nebraska defeated a measure calling for the formation of a state government in 1860. The vote margin was 47% in support to 53% in opposition. A legislatively referred constitution was ultimately approved in 1866 by a margin of 51% to 49%.
- Nebraska voters decided on three measures calling for a state constitutional convention in 1870, 1874, 1918. All three were approved. Voters defeated the constitution drafted by the 1871 convention. The constitution in use today was drafted by the 1875 convention. The 1919-1920 convention proposed 41 amendments that were all approved by voters in September 1920.
- Nebraska voters voted on three amendments granting women's suffrage in 1871, 1882, and 1914, but they were all defeated. Voters approved it in 1920, one month after the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
- In 1918, Nebraska voters approved an amendment, with support from 71% of voters, changing the voting requirement from allowing people of foreign birth who had declared an intent to become citizens to vote to requiring U.S. citizenship at least 30 days before an election.
- 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. The number of signatures required is based on the number of registered voters at the time of the election. An initiative in 1996 tried to change this by basing the number on the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election, but it was defeated.
- In 1920, voters approved an amendment that changed the vote requirement for amendments to a simple majority vote and at least 35% of those voting in the election for any office.
- In 2000, voters defeated an amendment that would have required two separate votes at two separate elections for a constitutional amendment to be ratified.
- In 1934, Nebraska became the only state with a unicameral state legislature with the approval of Amendment 2.
- In 1938, Nebraska voters defeated an amendment to allow for the recall of state executive officials. The margin was 42% in favor to 58% opposed.
- Nebraska adopted a right to work amendment in 1946. It was the fourth state to do so.
- Nebraska voters decided to repeal a law establishing a state income tax in 1966 with nearly 70% of voters favoring repeal. The state legislature adopted a state income tax in 1967. In 1968, voters defeated an initiated constitutional amendment that would have prohibited state income taxes. The vote margin was 36% in favor to 64% opposed.
- Voters approved Initiative Measure 300 to prohibit the purchase of farm and ranch lands by anyone other than Nebraska family farm corporations in 1982.
- In 1986, voters repealed a law that required drivers and front-seat passengers of vehicles to wear seat belts. The vote margin was 49.9% to retain to 50.1% repeal.
- Voters approved a ballot initiative establishing a right to bear arms in the state constitution in 1988.
- Voters decided to elect the governor and lieutenant governor jointly at one election with the approval of Amendment 1 in 2000.
- Nebraska voters adopted state legislative term limits in 2000 with the approval of Initiative Measure 415. It passed with a margin of 56% to 44%. In 2012, Nebraska voters defeated an amendment with 65% opposing it that would have increased the consecutive term limits for Nebraska legislators from two terms (eight years) to three terms (12 years).
- In 2016, Nebraska voters decided on a veto referendum to repeal the death penalty ban implemented by Legislative Bill 268 and reinstated the death penalty.
- In 2024, Nebraska voters decided on competing abortion measures—Initiative 434 and Initiative 439. Initiative 434 was approved with 55% of the vote. It prohibited abortions after the first trimester unless necessitated by a medical emergency or the pregnancy is a result of sexual assault or incest. Initiative 439 was defeated with 51% voting against it. It would have established a constitutional right to abortion.
- Nebraska voters have decided on 20 measures related to gambling, including a measure that would have authorized gambling laws via ballot initiative and a measure that authorized gambling on racehorses.
Statistics
Closest and widest margins
Of the 424 ballot measures, eight were decided by less than a percentage point of the vote. The five closest measures are below:
| Closest vote margins for Nebraska statewide ballot measures, 1860-2025 | |||||||
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| Measure | Year | Yes votes | No votes | Vote margin | Outcome | ||
| # | % | # | % | ||||
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The following five measures had the widest vote margins by percentage:
| Widest vote margins for Nebraska statewide ballot measures, 1860-2025 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure | Year | Yes votes | No votes | Vote margin | Outcome | ||
| # | % | # | % | ||||
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Nebraska ballot measure topics
Nebraska ballot measures have addressed 122 unique topics, with some measures addressing multiple topics. The top 11 most common topics addressed are:
- Salaries of government officials (30 measures)
- State legislative processes and sessions (29 measures)
- Administrative organization (28 measures)
- State legislative authority (25 measures)
- Property taxes (25 measures)
- Local government finance and taxes (23 measures)
- Gambling policy (20 measures)
- Public education funding (19 measures)
- Public education governance (17 measures)
- Constitutional wording changes (17 measures)
- State judiciary structure (17 measures)
By the decade
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.
By type
- See also: Types of ballot measures in Nebraska
There are six different types of ballot measures in Nebraska. Legislatively referred constitutional amendments appeared on the ballot the most number of times (293). Constitutional convention referrals had the highest approval rate (88%). Veto referendums had the lowest approval rate at 33%.
Referred measures were approved at a higher rate than citizen-initiated measures. Referred measures (state legislature, territorial legislature, or convention) were approved 67% of the time, as compared to 46% for ballot initiatives.
Background
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.
The number of signatures required to qualify initiated constitutional amendments, state statutes, or veto referendums for the ballot is based on the total number of registered voters at the time of the signature deadline.
The following are the requirements for the types of citizen-initiated measures in Nebraska:
- initiated constitutional amendment (ICA): 10% of registered voters
- initiated state statute (ISS): 7% of registered voters
- veto referendum (VR): 5% of registered voters
Legislatively referred ballot measures
In Nebraska, the state legislature has the power to refer constitutional amendments and constitutional convention questions to the ballot.
A 60% supermajority vote is required during one legislative session for the Nebraska State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment or a constitutional convention question on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 30 votes in the unicameral legislature, assuming no vacancies. 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.
