A coalition of medical professionals in Nebraska is advocating for a new constitutional amendment related to abortion, presenting it as a preferable alternative to existing proposals.
This initiative aims to ban abortions after the first trimester of pregnancy and has garnered support from anti-abortion groups in the state, including Nebraska Right to Life and the Nebraska Family Alliance.
Termed the “Protect Women and Children Constitutional Amendment,” the proposed measure seeks to prohibit abortions beyond the first trimester, typically around 13 weeks of pregnancy.
Nebraska abortion rights (Credits: Nebraska Examiner)
This aligns with a state law enacted in 2023, which already restricts most abortions after 12 weeks gestational age. The amendment also includes provisions for exceptions in cases of medical emergencies, rape, and incest, mirroring existing legislation.
The initiative comes as a response to another petition drive, backed by organizations like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Nebraska, which aims to introduce an amendment allowing abortions up to the point of fetal viability outside the womb, typically around 23 weeks.
Abortion Protest (Credits: Vox)
Supporters of the “Protect Women and Children Constitutional Amendment” emphasize the importance of providing voters with a distinct choice regarding abortion policy in the upcoming November elections.
They argue that their proposal offers a more balanced approach by limiting abortion while still incorporating necessary exceptions for specific circumstances.
However, the exact language of the proposed amendment is still being finalized and awaits approval from the Secretary of State’s Office.
Once approved, organizers will need to gather signatures from at least 10% of Nebraska voters, including a minimum percentage from various counties across the state, to qualify for the ballot. The deadline for gathering signatures is set for July 3, underscoring the urgency of the petitioning process.
