Public hearings set for 3 measures on Nebraska's November ballot

Nebraskans have an opportunity to discuss and learn more about three ballot measures at a series of upcoming public hearings in October.

State law requires public hearings on ballot measures in each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts. The Elections Division has prepared informational pamphlets on the ballot measures, and hard copies of the pamphlets will be available in county election offices and at the public hearings.

Included on the ballot is the Fairness For Girls ballot measure (number 442) which aims to create a constitutional amendment to keep trans athletes out of women’s public K-12 and collegiate sports.

The advocacy group behind the initiative petition circulated earlier this year said the new constitutional amendment, if approved by voters, would “establish constitutional protections for sex-separate athletics to ensure equal access to athletic opportunities for females.”

Athletic teams or sports designated for "females, women, or girls" would "not be open to students of the male sex" under the proposed amendment, though there is no similar language barring female students from sports designated as male.

The other two ballot measures aim to legalize online sports betting in Nebraska. One is the Online Sports Wagering Authorization (number 440) and the other, Online Sports Wagering Regulation (number 441) would set the regulations for online betting.

Currently, all sports wagering must take place in person at one of the state’s five racetrack casinos. Some lawmakers and business leaders have argued the in-person limit is causing Nebraska to miss out on millions of dollars in bets placed in neighboring states like Iowa, where it’s legal to make an online sports bet anywhere in the state.

If voters approve the measures this November, betting apps would have to partner with an established racetrack casino to function. Platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel would also be required to run a gaming server within the state.

The public hearing schedule in Central time is as follows:

Congressional District 1

State Capitol, room 1525, 1445 K St., Lincoln

Wednesday, Oct. 14

Fairness for Girls: 6-9 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 15

Online Sports Regulation Authorization and Regulation initiatives: 6-9 p.m.

Congressional District 2

Omaha Public Libraries Millard Branch, Meeting Room 1, 13214 Westwood Lane, Omaha

Saturday, Oct. 24

Fairness for Girls: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Online Sports Regulation Authorization and Regulation initiatives:1:30-4:30 p.m.

Congressional District 3

Buffalo County Extension Building Bison Room, 1400 E. 34th St., Kearney

Thursday, Oct. 22

Fairness for Girls: 2-5 p.m.

Online Sports Regulation Authorization and Regulation initiatives: 6-9 p.m.