A small group of health care professionals launched a ballot initiative Tuesday aimed at amending the state's constitution to bar most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for rape, incest and medical emergencies.
The proposed constitutional amendment, unveiled Tuesday by the newly formed Protect Women and Children Committee, would enshrine into Nebraska's constitution similar abortion parameters .
The committee's proposed petition language, which has not yet been approved by Nebraska's Secretary of State, declares "unborn children shall be protected from abortion in the second and third trimesters" with the exceptions for rape, incest and medical emergencies.
In a statement Tuesday, the initiative's organizers — Mark Patefield, a Laurel pharmacist and member of the State Board of Health; Elizabeth Peterson, a nurse; and Jan Kuehn and Maureen Bausch, both retired nurses — said the proposed language "reflects Nebraskans' sensible position on abortion limits" while protecting women and their doctors.
"The vast majority of Nebraskans support well-defined, commonsense abortion limits after the first trimester of pregnancy," their statement read in part. "The use of established scientific terms sets clear parameters for women and their physicians, not inviting political interference."
The effort is meant to rival that would amend Nebraska's constitution to protect legal abortion care until “fetal viability,â€Â generally considered to be around 23 or 24 weeks gestational age.
Organizers of that ballot initiative — formally launched in November by a group called Protect Our Rights, backed by organizations including the ACLU of Nebraska and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska — said Tuesday that the new ballot initiative "would enshrine Nebraska’s current harmful ban in our state constitution" while leaving the door open for more restrictive bans.
"This competing effort is backed by groups that want to outlaw abortion in all circumstances and take away people’s ability to make the decisions that are best for their lives, bodies and futures," Jasmine Smith, an Omaha-based full spectrum & abortion doula and one of Protect Our Rights’ sworn sponsors, said in a statement.
"Our focus remains reaching Nebraskans in every corner of the state as we work to qualify for the ballot and make sure that every patient has the freedom to decide what’s right for their unique situation," Smith said.
Nebraska's leading anti-abortion advocacy groups celebrated the new initiative's launch Tuesday, lauding the choice that the alternative initiative could afford state voters.
"The initiative being circulated by abortion advocacy groups to create a right to late-term abortion in the Nebraska Constitution is the single greatest threat to parental rights, the health and safety of women and the protection of innocent babies our state has ever seen," the Nebraska Family Alliance said in a statement Tuesday, referring to the Protect Our Rights initiative.
"This new initiative reflects what our Legislature passed last year and would keep existing laws protecting women, parental rights and babies who can feel pain in place while we work to create a culture of life that provides love and support to every mother and child."
Organizers for both initiatives will need to collect signatures from 10% of Nebraska’s registered voters to get the would-be amendments on the ballot in November — a total that will require about 123,000 voter signatures, including 5% of registered voters in at least 38 of Nebraska’s 93 counties.
Every successful petition or referendum effort for the past decade has spent $1.5 million or more on gathering signatures and campaigning.
Protect Our Rights organizers, who have been collecting signatures for four months, to qualify for November's ballot but declined to share specific signature totals, Nebraska Public Media reported.
If both initiatives were to appear on the ballot and be approved by voters, it would be up to a state court to construe the conflicting language offered by the competing amendments, said Anthony Schutz, an associate dean at the University of Nebraska's College of Law and an expert on the state constitution.
"One focuses on mom. One focuses on unborn children," Schutz said. "The newer one is difficult to reconcile with the first, but it would probably depend on the case that came before the court. They are different provisions, and the newer one doesn’t really purport to limit government. So I’m not entirely sure how they would work together."
Both abortion-focused petitions will circulate around the state a year after Nebraska lawmakers voted in May to ban most abortions after 12 weeks gestational age , which is marked from a woman’s last period.Â
The restrictions passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jim Pillen effectively banned abortions in the state about 10 weeks after fertilization — less restrictive than last April.
No lawmakers introduced bills this year seeking to further restrict abortion access in the state, marking a reversal for conservatives, including Pillen, in Nebraska.
A bill that would have added an exception for fatal fetal anomalies to Nebraska’s 12-week abortion ban , failing to advance from the Judiciary Committee.
Lawmakers delay vote on drug bill; a popular Lincoln treat; Rhule 'all in.'
Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
Lincoln Southwest's Charley Kort (center) dances with her team after winning the game against Lincoln East on Thursday, March 27, 2024, at Seacrest Activities Complex. Lincoln Southwest won 3-0.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Sens. George Dungan of Lincoln (from left), John Cavanaugh of Omaha, Wendy DeBoer of Bennington, and Lynne Walz of Fremont listen to testimony from Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha (not pictured) during a public hearing before the Legislature's Executive Board on Thursday. The hearing was to hear testimony on whether to send a resolution to censure Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings to the legislative floor.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln East's Kai Burkey picks up a fly ball against Creighton Prep, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Den Hartog Field.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Monty Stoakes, Open Harvest's meat and cheese coordinator, has put together a Cheese Madness 16-cheese bracket that will crown the store's top cheese.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Troy Dannen speaks to the media at a news conference where he is announced as the athletic director for the University of Nebraska on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Hawks Championship Center.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Park Middle School band director, T.J. McLaughlin (center) conducts the band during rehearsal for the 75th annual Lincoln Public Schools All-City Music Festival performance on Tuesday at Lincoln Northeast High School.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
Easton Bailey, 4, counts how many eggs are in his basket during an Easter egg hunt on Monday, March 25, 2024, at the Copple Family YMCA.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
From left, founder and director of Theatre Arts for Kids Leah Arlington, Aubree Lawrey, 16, Andy Brockmeier, 12, and Ellyson Stolcpart, 17, sing a song from The Little Mermaid on Monday, March 25, 2024.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Nebraska fan Seth Backhuss reacts to the score in the last three minutes of the second half during of an NCAA Tournament first-round game on Friday at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska's Josiah Allick (53) hugs head coach Fred Hoiberg at the end of the NCAA Tournament first-round loss to Texas A&M on Friday in Memphis, Tenn.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska's Keisei Tominaga (30) holds back tears as he holds a towel to his eyes in the final three minutes of the second half during of an NCAA Tournament first-round game on Friday, March 22, 2024, at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Nebraska's Keisei Tominaga signs the jersey of Brix Behrens, 10, after an open practice Thursday at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn. Nebraska, a No. 8 seed, will be looking for the program's first NCAA Tournament victory when the Huskers play No. 9 seed Texas A&M on Friday. The game is scheduled to start at 5:50 p.m. on TNT.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska's Case Sanderson is out by Omaha's Henry Zipay in second base, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Haymarket Park.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
A trio of sandhill cranes match speeds as they take off along the Platte River on March 17, 2024, near Kearney.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Senators of the 2024 legislative body convene for a roll call vote on Tuesday at the Capitol.Â
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Owner of Cause for Paws, Sue Sturgis, holds her rescue dachshund Inkadoo in her arms on Monday, March 18, 2024. Cause for Paws donates their proceeds to help pay veterinary bills and buy pet food for people in need. The Lincoln Thrift Crawl event encourages customers to visit eight different locally owned thrift stores, including Cause for Paws, from March 17th- March 23rd.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks during a news conference on Monday at Hawks Championship Center.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Nebraska's Mckinley Malecha (00) high-fives her teammates during the lineup announcements before the game against Creighton on Saturday at Bowlin Stadium.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
(From left) Kelly Harrington, Tami Westmoreland and Alana Casas-Castillo lead the 2024 Lincoln Women's March to the state Capitol on Saturday.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
Rainbow Trout spew forth from a holding tank as Nebraska Game and Parks officials restock Holmes Lake with fish at Holmes Lake Park, on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Nebraska Game and Parks officials stocked Holmes Lake with approximately 4,000 Rainbow Trout. The bi-annual process is used to enhance fishing opportunities in areas that have a high amount of fishermen as well as maintain fish populations in bodies of water across the state.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln East's Kate Eggett does a handstand to throw-in the ball during the game against Lincoln Pius X on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Lincoln Pius X.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Easton Aldridge (left) of Denton, 6, plays a knight and "defends" his seat on a giant lawn chair next to his sister, Jess Aldridge, 11, at the Husker Lawn & Leisure Show on Friday at Sandhills Global Event Center. The show features various exhibitors showing items such as RVs, lawnmowers, plants and garden arts. Nebraska Extension Master Gardener volunteers are on-site to answer questions. The last day of the show is Sunday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Wilber-Clatonia students (from left) Emmalyn Klaassen, 11, Aubrey Bridges, 11, and Jace Polite, 10, react as their robot is unable to complete a task during a practice run of the Nebraska FIRST LEGO League Challenge Championship held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cook Pavilion on Friday. Around 600 students between the ages of 9-14 participated in the First LEGO League (FLL) Challenge on Friday.Â
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bradley Opperman holds a box of food to give out on March 15 at the Lincoln Food Bank.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
Nebraska's Katelyn Caneda (66) attempts to tag out Northern Colorado's Alison Steinker (4) during the first inning of the game on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Haymarket Park.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Shane Walsh of Studio Trouvaille assembles wood and stained glass shadowboxes, Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Union Bank Place.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
A rain droplet strikes a puddle where a nearby street light is reflected in the water, in central Lincoln on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
The Killigans' Greg Butcher (from left), Brad Hoffman and Bob Okamoto rehearse on Monday, March 11, 2024, in Lincoln.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Restore a Muscle Car Owner Dave Hall poses for a portrait next to a 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am he purchased with a little over 3,000 miles on the odometer at his auto shop in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Aja, a Belgian Shepherd, leaps over a jump during a training exercise at Tierra Park. Aja participates in competition obedience training.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
Millard North's Neal Mosser (13) crashes into the scorers table during the Class A boys state tournament championship game against Bellevue West on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Norris' Evan Greenfield (22) shoots a layup while defended by Omaha Skutt's Gideon Linderman (30) in the second half during the Class B boys state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Wahoo's Marcus Glock (0) swings the net after the Warriors defeated Auburn in the Class C-1 state championship game Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Johnson-Brock celebrates their win as Ainsworth's Trey Appelt (24) hugs his teammate Traegan McNally (5) after the Class D-1 boys state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Ashland-Greenwood's Dane Jacobsen (0) pulls his jersey over his head following the Bluejay's loss to Auburn in the Class C-1 boys state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 8, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Wahoo's Cody Hesser (5) tumbles over Omaha Concordia's Jackson Thrasher (11) as he attempts to block a shot in the first half during a Class C-1 boys state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 8, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Norris celebrates a 3-pointer during a Class B first-round boys state tournament game against Bennington on Thursday, March 7, 2024 Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Wahoo's Cody Hesser (left) goes up for a shot as he is fouled by Ogallala's Jayden Curtis (center) during a Class C-1 first-round boys state tournament game Wednesday at the Devaney Sports Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Dundy County Stratton's Lane Brown (from left), competes for a rebound with Ainsworth's Jacob Held and Logan Schroedl and DCS's Jackson Kerchal during a Class D-1 first-round boys state tournament game on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.Ainsworth's Dundy County Stratton's during a Class D-1 first-round boys state tournament game on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Wahoo's Dylan Simmons (11) is fouled by Ogallala's Jayden Curtis (5) in the first half during a Class C-1 first-round boys state tournament game on Wednesday, March 7, 2024 Wednesday at the Devaney Sports Center
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Omaha Concordia and Malcolm play the first half of a Class C-1 first-round boys state tournament basketball game on Wednesday, March 7, 2024 Wednesday at the Devaney Sports Center
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln Southeast's Kendall Hinton (44) and Lincoln Southeast's Deng Giet (33) celebrate a 3-pointer by Hinton during a Class A first-round boys state tournament game against Omaha Westside on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Midwest Diggers' Ashley and Nathan Schwenke pose for a portrait in front of an area in their store where customers can pan for actual gold and silver.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Northwest High School seniors Feryal Akpo-Idrissou (left) and Madeline Smith register to vote on Monday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Nebraska's C.J. Wilcher (0) waits for the team lineups to be announced before the game against Rutgers on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Overton celebrates after defeating Wynot in the Class D-2 state championship game Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
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Overton coach Janessa Bergman (left) reacts with the Eagles' bench during the Class D-2 state championship game against Wynot on Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Millard West's Taylor Hansen (21) and Kylee Paben (42) guard Bellevue West's Ahnica Russell Brown (0) as she attempts to score in the paint in the second half during the Class A girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Millard West players dogpile at center court after defeating Bellevue West to win the Class A girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Tyson McCall, 7, (right) is lifted up by his father Keenan as they cheer on Yutan in the Class C-2 girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Yutan's Jade Lewis (4) celebrates during the Class C-2 girls state tournament championship game against Crofton, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Crofton's Ellie Tramps drives the ball down court on a breakaway in the first half during the Class C-2 girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln Christian celebrates winning the Class C-1 state championship against Sidney on Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
Pender celebrates winning the Class D-1 girls state tournament championship game over Southern Valley, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Pender won 39-25.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Lincoln Southwest senior Trent Buda dresses up as Where's Waldo during a Class A girls state tournament semifinal game against Bellevue West on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Nebraska's Caitlin Olensky pitches against Wichita State, Friday, March 1, 2024, at Bowlin Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Beatrice's Anna Gleason hugs Kiley Hatcliff while Callie Schwisow and Kiera Busboom (from left) embrace as they console one another following a close loss to Elkhorn North in a Class B girls state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Yutan's Emilia Tederman (bottom left) competes for the ball with Bishop Neumann's Caitlin McGuigan (top left) and Adalin Bosak during a Class C-2 girls state tournament semifinal game, Friday, March 1, 2024, at the Devaney Sports Center.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Using an in camera double exposure Omaha Skutt players Peyton McCabe (10) and Kamryn Kasner (34) are framed by a cheerleaders pom pom as they block a shot by Gretna East's Karli Williams (5) in the first half during a Class B girls state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Sidney's Payton Schrotberger (3) leads the charge as she and her teammates Ryan Dillehay (21) and Karsyn Leeling (0) rush to celebrate with their team after their win over Grand Island Central Catholic in a Class C-1 girls state tournament semifinal game Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The Sidney bench and head coach Tyler Shaw (center) celebrate after Ryan Dillehay (not pictured) scored a go-ahead basket against Grand Island CC in the second half during a Class C-1 girls state tournament semifinal game Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln Christian's Kenadee Ailes (30) swats away a layup attempt by Bridgeport's Tracey From (4) while her teammate Jessa Hueser (1) guards the lane in the first half during a Class C-1 girls state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Beatrice's Kiley Hatcliff (21) and Addison Hatcliff (10) celebrate winning a Class B first-round girls state tournament game over Norris on Thursday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
Lincoln North Star's Sarah Gatwetch (right) celebrates with her teammates after placing their name on a bracket to advance to the semifinals following their win over Millard North in a Class A first-round girls state basketball tournament game Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The Omaha Central student section read their student newspaper while Millard West is introduced ahead of a Class A first-round girls state tournament game on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
An array of ciders from Saro Cider — Joy Harvest with Arbor Day Farm (from left), grapefruit, cranberry spice, and a non-alcoholic raspberry Bellini — is shown with a pesto parmesan flatbread.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Bishop Neumann junior Anthony Kavan (left) plays a card game with sophomore Dominic Benes as the basketball team palys Cross County during a Class C-2 first-round girls state tournament game, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, at the Devaney Sports Center.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Journal Star reporter Chris Dunker contributed to this story.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com . On Twitter @andrewwegley
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