OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska voters supported a measure Tuesday that enshrines the state’s current ban on abortions after the 12th week of pregnancy in the state constitution, and they rejected a competing measure that sought to expand abortion rights. Nebraska was the first state to have competing abortion amendments on the same ballot since the U.
S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, ending the nationwide right to abortion and allowing states to decide for themselves.
The dueling measures were among a record number of petition-initiated measures on Nebraska’s ballot Tuesday. What were the competing abortion measures? A majority of voters supported a measure enshrining the state's current ban on abortion after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy in the state constitution. The measure will also allow for further restrictions.
Last year, the Legislature passed the 12-week ban, which includes exceptions for cases of rape and incest and to protect the life of the pregnant woman. Voters rejected the other abortion measure. If they had passed it by a larger number of “for” votes than the 12-week measure, it would have amended the constitution to guarantee the right to have an abortion until viability — the standard under Roe that is the point at which a fetus might survive outside the womb.
Some babies can survive with medical help after 21 weeks of gestation. Abortion was on the ballot in several other states, as well. Coming into the election, voters in all sev.
