In this Election, Nebraskans are not only voting for lawmakers and elected officials, but we will also vote on a few VERY important ballot initiatives, too. Here is some information on how these issues impact gender equity in our state.
✅ Vote “FOR” 436 to allow hardworking Nebraskans the ability to earn and use paid sick days.
This ballot initiative, if passed, would allow employees the ability to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Letting working people earn sick days is common sense and supports our Nebraska values—that includes letting people take care of sick kids or aging parents without losing their income—while advancing gender equity. Women in service-sector jobs are 11 percentage points less likely than men to have access to paid sick leave. Additionally, 43% of working mothers—which includes 54% Latina and 42% Black mothers—do not have access to paid sick leave, which is particularly concerning given that women shoulder a disproportionate share of caregiving duties throughout the United States.
The Women’s Fund is part of a statewide coalition, Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans, supporting ballot Initiative 436. If passed by Nebraska voters, paid sick leave would go into effect October 1, 2025.
✅ Vote “FOR” 439 to protect your fundamental right to abortion in Nebraska.
If passed, Initiative 439 would allow pregnant Nebraskans the ability to make decisions about their own health, lives and futures without political interference. Most Nebraskans agree that the government should not be involved in personal decisions that are better left to patients and their health care providers. Because every pregnancy is different, Nebraskans need the ability to make their own decisions about pregnancy and abortion. Vote FOR 439 to protect your right to abortion in Nebraska.
The Women’s Fund is part of Protect Our Rights, a coalition of Nebraskans and local reproductive health, rights and justice organizations working to return the right to make important decisions around abortion care to patients and their providers, not the government.
❌ Vote “AGAINST” 434 and reject government interference in your personal health care.
Initiative 434 is funded by a few wealthy, anti-abortion activists who have fought for years to take away individuals’ control over their own bodies. In addition to being an attempt to confuse voters, this ballot initiative, if passed, would open the door to more extreme abortion restrictions in the future. We must collectively reject this political interference in our personal health care decisions and vote AGAINST 434.
Make your plan now to vote and learn about what’s on your ballot. If you requested an early ballot to be mailed to your house, fill it out today and drop off your ballot at one of several drop boxes around Douglas County by 8:00 pm on Election Day. You can also vote early in-person (if you did not request a ballot to be mailed to your house).
Know your options, get informed and vote like your rights depend on it!