By Jeff Schinstock
Director of evangelization and catechesis,
Director for pro-life activities
The Nov. 5 election is quickly approaching, and for Nebraskans this will be an extremely consequential election.
From now until the votes are counted we are going to be inundated with information on candidates and political parties. Elections are always important and the people we cast our votes for need to be examined, and we need to make good prudential judgements as we make our decisions. But this election, we need to have keen focus on ballot issues that will have a dramatic influence on the future of Nebraskans.
It has been an amazing political time. Internationally, war and chaos are raising anxieties as we pray for Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to act.
Our national politics are certainly full of strife and disagreement, and locally here in Nebraska we have had no shortage of culture-shaping fights. I have observed the great work of witnesses to what is true, good and beautiful work within the system to do what is right to help shape our future. The Lord has seen fit that all of us are called to give witness. Three ballot measures lay before us and God has asked us to enter the fight. As always, we should enter these times in prayer and sacrifice, always faithful to God.
The first ballot measure that I want to address is referendum number 435. It reads:
A vote to “RETAIN” will keep in effect Section 1 of Legislative Bill 1402 enacted in 2024 by the Nebraska Legislature. Section 1 of Legislative Bill 1402 provides for $10 million annually to fund education scholarships to pay all or part of the cost to educate eligible students attending nongovernmental, privately operated elementary and secondary schools in Nebraska.
Why should we retain this measure? The simple answer is — the children. Children are amazing, but they are not a homogeneous collective. Each is unique, beautiful and worthy of our love and protection. Each is worthy of an education that best addresses his or her needs. The $10 million for scholarships provided in Bill 1402 does not affect funds that go to public schools. Bill 1402 allocates money for students so that their families can provide the best educational fit possible. The measure helps school systems like our diocesan schools to continue to get amazing results. Please vote to retain this measure.
I believe education is one of the most important things a community can provide. This November, there is one even more fundamental: the right to life itself. There are two competing ballot initiatives facing us in the coming weeks, and I would like to take a few moments to address each.
The first initiative I would like to speak about is ballot measure 439. It reads:
A vote “FOR” will amend the Nebraska Constitution to provide that all persons shall have a fundamental right to abortion until fetal viability, or when needed to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient, without interference from the state or its political subdivisions. Fetal viability is defined as the point in pregnancy when, in the professional judgment of the patient’s treating health care practitioner, there is a significant likelihood of the fetus’ sustained survival outside the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures.
I want to be very clear. This amendment is evil, and we must vote against it. It is intentionally vague and would make Nebraska one of the least regulated and most radical abortion states in America. The “treating health care practitioner” is the abortionist. The people who make their livelihood on the industry of abortion are the same people who make the judgement about whether or not an abortion should take place.
You might ask what real difference having a law like this would make in a place like Nebraska. Our neighbors in Kansas lost their ballot initiative a few years back. Since that time, abortion is up 152% and there are more abortion clinics popping up in unexpected places.
Finally, I would like to talk about amendment 434. It reads:
A vote “FOR” will amend the Nebraska Constitution to provide that, except when a woman seeks an abortion necessitated by a medical emergency or when the pregnancy results from sexual assault or incest, unborn children shall be protected from abortion in the second and third trimesters.
I am against every single instance of murdering an innocent unborn human person. I believe deeply in the sanctity of every single life. I have tried to live this out in my life, including attending the National March for Life more than 20 times. Like many of you, I wish we could pass an amendment that outlawed every abortion. I also realize that is not our cultural reality. Therefore, we must do the best we can to reduce abortions, while continuing the evangelical work of making abortion unthinkable.
This amendment has exceptions that the majority of Nebraskans want, while eliminating ALL second and third trimester abortions. It is imperfect, but effective. We can be the first state in the post-Roe era to pass real restrictions by ballot measure. Additionally, and this is very important, if both measures pass the one with more votes becomes law.
I strongly urge you, neighbors and friends, to pray that God will stir the hearts of Nebraskans to vote for the good. Remember that we must be faithful and charitable regardless of outcome and vote to “retain” Referendum 435. Vote “against” on Initiative 439. Vote “for” on Initiative 434. God bless Nebraska as we approach these important issues.
