Nebraskans voted overwhelmingly for a constitutional amendment removing slavery and involuntary servitude as criminal punishments earlier this week, but concerns have risen over those who voted to keep the language.
When asked during a press conference whether minorities in the state should be concerned that around 30% of voters supported keeping the language, Secretary of State Bob Evnen suggested those who did were concerned not with removing the word slavery, but rather “involuntary servitude”
“Involuntary servitude implicates what goes on in our prison system and may constitutionally then invalidate certain practices in our prison system,” said Evnen.
He says he’s already seen posts on social media to that effect.
“I don’t know of anyone who objected to the deletion of the word ‘slavery’ from our constitution.”
State Senator Justin Wayne spearheaded the amendment and offers a more benign explanation.
“I believe in the good of people and I believe that people were confused and if they were to re-vote they would vote to remove slavery as a form of punishment.”