New petition drives get ready for November 2022 ballot

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Nebraska voters could see many electoral initiatives during the next general election. Several groups such as Nebraska Appleseed, Nebraska for Medical Marijuana, and a campaign that requires government-issued photo ID to vote in Nebraska have announced that they will start petitioning from scratch.

You have about a year to get it all done, but you still have some big numbers to hit and keep an eye on state laws.

In order for these groups to be on the ballot, they must submit the petitions no later than four months before the parliamentary elections. All three aim for November 2022, which sets the deadline in July of the same year.

The latest petition campaign was officially launched today. It would gradually raise the Nebraska minimum wage, which is currently at $ 9 an hour, to $ 15 an hour by 2026.

“What you are seeing is a widespread realization that we need to improve workers ‘pay, workers’ treatment and the benefits they receive, and I think the pandemic really made that clear,” said James Goddard Nebraska Apple Core said.

Goddard says, unlike other petitions in previous cycles that have faced challenges in challenging the “one question” rule set out in the Nebraska State Statute. The wording of the minimum wage is pretty trite.

“To come back to the 2014 initiative that raised the minimum wage to where it is today, there wasn’t much organized opposition,” said Goddard.

Medical marijuana Nebraskans are no stranger to the “one question” rule.

Immediately after her defeat, she submitted a new election initiative to the Supreme Court, which was last bypassed. It is said to be taking a break and not actively collecting signatures. “We are actively working with a legal team that goes through our language so that we are as prepared as possible for any challenges the opposition might bring,” said Crista Eggers of Nebraskans, Medical Marihuana.

Eggers says that one of those front runners may involve splitting it into two different electoral initiatives.

“One person will really take care of the individual himself and the other will tend to take care of the regulatory side,” says Eggers.

The third petition, a campaign requiring government-issued photo ID to vote in Nebraska, began collecting signatures late last week. Nebraska State Senator Julie Slama is one of the sponsors of the push.

“The people of Nebraska are often referred to as the second house, and our committee is making sure their voice is heard toward those with special interests and influence in the capital,” said Slama.

For example, if this measure is passed, the legislator would have to specify details of the change; what would qualify as valid ID.

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