Initiative Measure 434 - Prohibit Abortions After the First Trimester

Ballot Icon Ballot Measure

PASSED

Result Icon Result

CONSERVATIVE

BALLOT LANGUAGE

Shall the Nebraska Constitution be amended to include a new section (p. 5) which provides: “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.”


Note:  If both IM 434 and IM 439 pass, the one with the most votes will become law.

WHAT IT MEANS

For

A vote "For" this measure will:

  • Maintain the 12 week ban passed by the Nebraska legislature in 2023, allowing for abortions after 12 weeks only in the case of rape, incest or medical emergency.
  • Keep in place commonsense protections of women and children like medical screening and parental notification.
  • Prevent future attempts to expand abortion beyond 12 weeks. 


Against

A vote "Against" this measure will:

  • Maintain the 12 week ban passed by the Nebraska legislature in 2023, allowing for abortions after 12 weeks only in the case of rape, incest, or medical emergency.
  • Allow future attempts to expand abortion beyond 12 weeks.


ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST

For

  • “The vast majority of Nebraskans support well-defined, commonsense abortion limits after the first trimester of pregnancy, along with exceptions for extreme circumstances, like cases of sexual assault, incest, and medical emergencies. The use of established scientific terms sets clear parameters for women and their physicians, not inviting political interference. That's what the Protect Women & Children Initiative accomplishes.” - Protect Women and Children Nebraska 

[Source]

“The pro-life language would: 

  • ESTABLISH PROTECTION IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION 

Nebraska would be the first state in our nation to establish pro-life protections in the state constitution. 

  • PROTECT CURRENT NEBRASKA 12-WEEK PRO-LIFE LAW 

Takes productive, positive action to support and protect pro-life laws already in place in our state; holds the line as outside abortion advocates attack with their big dollars coming in from out of state and foreign countries. 

  • ALLOW PRO-LIFE LEGISLATION TO BE PASSED IN THE FUTURE 

Establishes a ceiling on abortion, but not a floor. The upper limit means it leaves room to protect life from the moment it starts. Nebraska Right to Life staunchly defends life at all stages and will continue to do so until abortion is unthinkable in Nebraska.” - Nebraska Right to Life 

[Source]

  • "Protect Women & Children’s ballot measure stands in stark contrast to the ACLU’s all-trimester abortion amendment. By giving voters a reasonable alternative, we will put a stop to the abortion lobby’s attempt to enshrine second- and third-trimester abortion, eliminate parental rights, and eviscerate health and safety protections for women.” - Adam Schwend, Western Regional Director, Susan B. Anthony Pro-life America

[Source]

Against

  • “The competing ballot initiative does nothing to help these patients, making the current ban permanent and leaving the door open for a total abortion ban in the state. A vote for Protect Our Rights will end the current harmful abortion ban and stop political interference in the future.” - Allie Berry, Protect Our Rights 

[Source]

  • “Vote AGAINST 434 to end the current abortion ban. Initiative 434 opens the door to even more government control over Nebraskans' healthcare, including the power to ban things like IVF and miscarriage care. Nebraska politicians have even said Initiative 434 is the first step to completely banning abortion in the state, without any exceptions. Initiative 434 bans abortions even in cases when the pregnancy has no chance of survival. Vote AGAINST 434.” - Nebraska Informational Pamphlet on Initiative and Referendum Measures 

[Source]

  • “Vote AGAINST Initiative 434 (the first initiative on your ballot), which aims to make Nebraska's current abortion ban permanent and leaves room for even harsher abortion restrictions moving forward.” - ACLU of Nebraska 

[Source]

FINANCIAL BACKING

The following information provides insight into the money being spent to pass or defeat the ballot measure.

For

Committees formed to SUPPORT the Nebraska Initiative 434, Prohibit Abortions After the First Trimester Amendment Nebraska Initiative (2024):

PROTECT WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Selected Contributions TO: Protect Women and Children* include:

  • Pete Ricketts
  • Marlene Ricketts
  • Shawn Peed
  • Thomas Peed

*TO VIEW FINANCIAL REPORTS BY COMMITTEE:

  • Click on the link - this will bring you to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission Campaign Finance Database.
  • Scroll down to the "Contributions" link "Campaign Finance" sub-heading.
  • Choose "Ballot Question Committee" from the dropdown box next to "Filer/Recipient Type".
  • Enter the Committee name in the 4th box down ("Candidate or Individual Last Name/Committee,Business or Other Name ") in the "Filer/Recipient" section.
  • Select the "Date From" and "Date Through" using the calendars in the "Contribution/Transaction Details" section.
  • Then select the "Find" button near the bottom.
  • You can sort with the output data provided, or you can export the data if you wish.
  • You need to repeat the process for each Ballot Measure committee.

Against

Committees formed to OPPOSE the Nebraska Initiative 434, Prohibit Abortions After the First Trimester Amendment Nebraska Initiative (2024):

NO COMMITTEE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED TO OPPOSE THIS INITATIVE AS OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2024.

Selected Contributions TO include:

  • NA

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