LINCOLN — Nebraska voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to increase the number of consecutive four-year terms a state senator may serve from two to three under proposed Amendment 1, also known as LR19CA.
The Legislature approved placing the constitutional change on the ballot by a 39-10 vote in May 2025. State Sen. Robert Dover of Norfolk was the principal sponsor; 23 colleagues were listed as original co-sponsors.
What the amendment would change
If voters approve Amendment 1, the Nebraska Constitution would be amended to allow a state senator to serve three consecutive four-year terms before leaving office. A no vote would preserve the current limit of two consecutive four-year terms.
- Sponsor: State Sen. Robert Dover, Norfolk
- Legislative action: Forwarded to ballot by 39-10 vote in May 2025
- Original co-sponsors: 23 senators
Supporters in the Legislature have argued that a longer consecutive-term limit would give senators more time to gain experience and be effective in Nebraska’s unicameral body. Opponents have argued term limits foster leadership turnover and guard against entrenched lawmakers.
Other measures on the ballot
In addition to Amendment 1, three citizen-initiated measures will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. Voters will also see two measures dealing with sports betting and one initiative related to school sports eligibility and gender.
| Ballot ID | Type | Subject | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| LR19CA | Constitutional Amendment | Term limits | Change legislative term limit from two to three consecutive four-year terms |
| Initiative Measure 440 | Statutory initiative | Gambling | Authorize laws to govern sports betting |
| Initiative Measure 441 | Statutory initiative | Gambling | Authorize online sports betting and empower the state gaming commission to adopt rules |
| Initiative Measure 442 | Statutory initiative | School athletics | Require schools to designate teams as male, female or co-ed and prohibit male participation on female teams |
The measures placed on the ballot via citizen petition followed review and certification processes after petition signatures were submitted.
Voters choosing whether to amend the constitution will do so in a statewide election on Nov. 3. The ballot language for LR19CA identifies the proposed change as an increase in the allowable number of consecutive terms for state senators from two to three.
