Gov. Jim Pillen called Monday for Nebraskans opposed to abortion to support a ballot measure allowing some abortions in the state.
On his monthly radio call-in show, he urged people to vote for Initiative 434 as the best way to protect women and save babies, even if it doesn't ban abortions entirely. He said that's the way he is voting, even though he has said he wants to see a full ban on abortion in Nebraska.Â
"There are people who are pro-life who are not going to vote for 434 because it’s not pure enough," Pillen said, while adding: "It's not black and white."
Initiative 434 is one of two conflicting abortion measures on the general election ballot. The proposed constitutional amendment would ban almost all abortions after the first trimester of pregnancy, similar to current state law, but would also leave room for lawmakers to increase restrictions in the future.Â
Initiative 439, also a proposed constitutional amendment, would establish the right to an abortion up until "fetal viability," which is generally considered to be 23 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. The measure would be similar to the standard set under the Roe v Wade court ruling that legalized abortion nationwide in 1973. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe and sent the issue of abortion back to the states two years ago. Â
Pillen argued Monday for taking incremental steps against abortion rather than risk seeing Initiative 439 become part of the State Constitution. He noted Nebraska's three Catholic dioceses support that approach.Â
For either initiative to pass, it would need to garner more "yes" votes than "no" votes. If both succeed, the initiative with the highest number of "yes" votes will prevail and be added to the state constitution, according to the Secretary of State's office.
Abortion rights supporters have been urging Nebraskans to vote against the partial ban measure and for Initiative 439. Adding negative votes cast by abortion opponents to those cast by abortion rights supporters could jeopardize Initiative 434.Â
If the abortion rights measure wins, Pillen said there would be "a whole lot more babies lost." He also said the outcome of the Nebraska vote will affect other states. Nebraska is the only state so far to have competing abortion proposals on the ballot.
But Robert Smith, a sponsor of a failed petition drive that would have defined life as starting at conception, said he plans to vote against Initiative 434 because it would provide an exception for medical emergencies. He said that term is not defined in the initiative and that abortion providers could find a pretext for performing an abortion at any point in a pregnancy.Â
"Initiative 434 is thus a large step backwards," he said. "To say some pro-lifers oppose it for being 'not pure enough' is a red herring. Its supporters are not honest about how it steps backward."