Nebraska votes to codify current abortion restrictions in the state constitution

Nebraska voters have approved a ballot measure that would enshrine current abortion restrictions in the state's constitution, NBC News predicts, a setback for reproductive rights advocates in the red state.

Unlike most states where the abortion issue was put directly before voters this year, the Nebraska vote pitted two competing abortion measures against each other.

An amendment entitled “Protect Our Rights” proposed extending access to abortion until the fetus is viable, which is generally around 24 weeks of pregnancy. The other, called “Protect Women and Children,” aimed to enshrine the state’s 12-week ban in the constitution while keeping the door open for further restrictions.

The amendment to codify current abortion restrictions received 55% support with 92% of the vote, while the measure to establish constitutional protections for abortion received 49% support.

The rules were a bit confusing. For a ballot measure to pass in the state, it requires a majority of votes and at least 35% of the total votes cast in favor of it in the election. However, if both exceed the threshold, the one that receives more votes is accepted.

It was a novel strategy by anti-abortion advocates who were on a losing streak with ballot initiatives on abortion rights before Election Day.