FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
About Respect Nebraska Voters
What legislative actions are covered by the new four-fifths threshold?
It covers future legislative actions, after the 2026 election, that attempt to modify or repeal initiative-passed laws. It does not apply retroactively to past legislative actions.
What initiative-passed laws would be covered by the new four-fifths threshold?
It applies to statutory initiative measures adopted on or after November of 2004, which is when Nebraskans created the two-thirds threshold. For example, any legislative attempt after the 2026 election to change laws passed by the people over the last 22 years would require a four-fifths approval. It also safeguards any future statutory initiatives the people pass by requiring that same four-fifths threshold for lawmakers to override or undermine what we vote for.
Does this apply to initiative-passed constitutional amendments?
No, it only applies to legislative attempts to change statutes passed by voter-led initiatives.
What’s to stop the Legislature from undoing this initiative like they have others?
If passed, this will amend the Nebraska Constitution, which can only be amended by the people. The Legislature would only be able to seek changes to this initiative by sending it back to a vote of the people.
How many signatures will it take to get this ballot initiative on the ballot in Nov. 2026?
For the issue to be placed on the ballot, signatures totaling 10% of registered voters in the state are required, which equals about 127,054. Additionally, signatures must be collected from 5% of registered voters in 38 of 93 counties. A coalition of organizations and individuals collected signatures from registered voters across the state and turned them in by July 3, 2026. We now await verification from the Nebraska Secretary of State.
Now that signatures have been turned in, what happens next?
After being verified for the ballot, it is important to share about this ballot initiative with your friends, family and neighbors. Continue to stay connected with Respect Nebraska Voters and share our website with others, asking them to vote in support of this initiative in November 2026.
Who is organizing this ballot initiative?
Respect Nebraska Voters is a Nebraska-based and Nebraska-led coalition. After seeing the hard work of previous voter-supported initiatives be carved out and reversed, organizations from across the state have endorsed our effort, including the Nebraska State AFL-CIO, Heartland Workers Center, Voices for Children in Nebraska and Nebraska Appleseed’s Action Fund, among others. Our coalition includes everyday Nebraskans living in every part of our state, many of whom have been involved in recent ballot efforts to guarantee earned paid sick leave, raise the minimum wage, legalize medical cannabis and end predatory payday lending.