Sponsors for the measure did not respond to a request for comment on the proposal on Wednesday. The pro-life Nebraska Family Alliance, meanwhile, said on Tuesday that if passed the measure would make Nebraska “the first state in the nation to provide constitutional protection to preborn children in a state constitution.”
The group said the proposal “would ensure that our existing pro-life laws remain in place while we continue working to create a culture of life that provides love and support to every mother and child.” The state last year banned abortion at 12 weeks into pregnancy.
Jackie Ourada, a spokeswoman for the Nebraska secretary of state’s office, confirmed to CNA on Wednesday that the measure had been received by the office but that “final language for the petition has not been submitted” yet.
The group has until July 3 to collect signatures from 10% of the number of registered voters in the state before submitting. The state requires signatures to come from 5% of registered voters in at least 38 counties.
The pro-life proposal comes as pro-abortion advocates attempt to pass their own constitutional amendment in the state, one that would offer broad protections for abortion throughout most of pregnancy.
The pro-abortion group Protect Our Rights filed language with the secretary of state last year that could see abortion on the ballot in November if petitioners can collect enough signatures.