Initiative Measure 434 - Protect Women and Children Constitutional Amendment

Summary

This measure would amend the Nebraska Constitution to provide that except when a woman seeks an abortion necessitated by a medical emergency or when the pregnancy results from sexual assault or incest, unborn children shall be protected from abortion in the second and third trimesters. Abortion is currently legal up to the 12th week of pregnancy in Nebraska. This measure would add the status of abortion to the state constitution, which would raise the threshold for changes from a simple majority of state legislatures to pass a law to require a constitutional amendment, either initiated by citizens or placed on the ballot by a 60% vote of the state legislature.

A "For" vote will support amending the state constitution to prohibit abortions after the first trimester unless necessitated by a medical emergency or the pregnancy is a result of sexual assault or incest.

An "Against" vote opposes amending the state constitution to prohibit abortions after the first trimester unless necessitated by a medical emergency or the pregnancy is a result of sexual assault or incest.

Arguments

"She said some purposely sowed confusion among people who support abortion rights. She told the Nebraska Examiner on Friday that hundreds, if not thousands, of signers thought they were supporting abortion rights. She said people "were misled about the purpose of the petition and tricked into signing something they don't actually support." - Megan Hunt, NE State Senator, in opposition to Initiative Measure 434 (Learn more)

"Voters are excited to have a sensible alternative that reflects Nebraskan's commonsense approach to limits on abortion, protects women's health and relationship with their doctors, and preserves parental notification requirements that save lives and protect vulnerable minors." - Protect Women and Children Nebraska Committee, in support of Initiative Measure 434 (Learn more)

Measure Details