LINCOLN- Tomorrow, Nebraskans will decide whether or not they want to change the state constitution to require voters to show photo identification before casting a ballot in all future elections.

However, what will constitute a valid form of ID and how voters will be required to present it will be up to the Nebraska Legislature to decide once the 108th Legislative session begins in January.

State Sen. Julie Slama, a sponsor of the petition drive for voter ID that gathered over 172,000 signatures, said backers did not want to commit to a specific voter ID proposal "before we know who the senators will be."

Slama and other proponents of voter ID laws have argued that the change is a "commonsense" security measure that will increase voters' confidence in the election process.

Opponents of the change argue that Initiative 432, which contains language stating that voters "shall present valid photographic identification," could potentially allow lawmakers to create one of the most restrictive voter ID laws in the country, making it harder for tens of thousands of Nebraskans to vote.

Steve Smith, director of communications for Civic Nebraska, stated that Initiative 432 is "such a vaguely written constitutional amendment that it leaves a lot of discretion for the Legislature."

Previously, Slama introduced LR3CA in 2021, which would have required poll workers to review "a photograph or digital image of each voter" prior to allowing them to cast a ballot. The bill failed to advance out of committee.

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