Nebraska Paid Sick Leave Campaign Submits Over 138,000 Signatures to Qualify Ballot Measure

Lincoln, NE — Today, the Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans campaign turned in more than 138,000 signatures to qualify a ballot measure that would protect thousands of workers and benefit the Nebraska economy.

The ballot measure, which is supported by the Fairness Project, would require businesses to guarantee at least 1 hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Currently, more than a third of full-time and three-quarters of part-time workers in Nebraska do not have access to paid sick leave, according to a 2021 Nebraska Benefits Survey. Only 15 states and Washington D.C. have state laws guaranteeing paid sick leave to workers. 

The campaign’s signatures will now be verified by state officials in order for the amendment to appear on the ballot in November. 

“Nebraska is a great example of a state where voters, in the face of gridlock and polarization, are creating change through ballot measures,” said Kelly Hall, executive director of the Fairness Project. “In 2018, Nebraskans came together to pass Medicaid expansion at the ballot when their elected officials refused to. In 2022, they passed a $15 minimum wage to give workers the raise they deserved. And now, we are so excited to support Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans so that working people can take care of themselves and their families.” 

Ballot measures have proven to be an effective tool for voters to advance paid leave policy when legislators drag their feet. The Fairness Project has previously supported state-based coalitions to enact paid sick and family leave for millions of workers in several states: 

• In 2016, the Fairness Project worked with Arizonans for Fair Wages and Healthy Families on a ballot measure to ensure paid sick leave and increase the minimum wage to $12 an hour.
• In 2016 the Fairness Project worked with Raise Up Washington on a ballot measure to raise the minimum wage and guarantee paid sick leave for more than 1 million workers.
• In 2018, the Fairness Project worked with Raise Up Massachusetts and provided early contributions to a ballot measure to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. The campaign’s successful signature collection effort led the state legislature to enact the wage increase and paid family and medical leave.
• In 2018, the Fairness Project worked with Michigan Time to Care on a ballot measure to provide earned paid sick time to 2 million Michigan workers. Once the ballot measure qualified with a sufficient number of signatures, the Michigan state legislature adopted the policy later that year.
• In 2018, Fairness Project worked with local partners to qualify a paid sick leave ballot measure in San Antonio. The measure led to the passage of a city ordinance to provide earned paid sick time to more than 350,000 workers.
• In 2020, the Fairness Project worked with local partners in Colorado to win the nation’s first ballot measure to guarantee at least 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave for more than 2.6 million Coloradans.