The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that dueling constitutional amendments regarding abortion can appear on the state ballot this fall. One measure, “Protect the Right to Abortion,” would guarantee the right to abortion until fetal viability or to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient. The other measure, “Protect Women and Children,” would ban abortions in the second and third trimesters except in cases of medical emergency, sexual assault, or incest. Nebraska’s current law prohibits abortion after 12 weeks with exceptions. The court ruled that the abortion rights initiative did not violate a single-subject rule. Hearings on the ballot measures will be held in October. Opponents of the abortion rights initiative expressed concern over the ruling, while supporters see it as a victory. The ACLU of Nebraska praised the decision, stating that it allows Nebraskans to vote to end the current ban and ensure that decisions about pregnancy and abortion are made by patients. Nebraska is one of 10 states with abortion ballot measures this fall, including both conservative-leaning and liberal-leaning states. Abortion rights advocates have had success in winning such initiatives in previous elections, even in traditionally conservative states.
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