2022 Midterm Election Resources | OutNebraska

Your Vote is Your Voice!

Now more than ever, your voice is needed to ensure equality for our gay and transgender neighbors. Over the last year, over 300 pieces of anti-gay or anti-trans legislation have been introduced around the country.

Here in our own state, lawmakers and candidates are using LGBTQ+ issues to drive voters on other issues. Your vote is your voice, so make sure to vote on November 8th! 

Find your polling place here. Polls will be open on General Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST and 7 a.m to 7 p.m. MT.

Research Tips

Become an informed voter! When you understand the initiatives and candidates on your ballot, you make informed voting decisions and use your vote more effectively. It can be hard to know where to start, so we’ve broken down some resources for you.

Nonpartisan voter guides (like this one) are presented without bias or preference to parties or candidates. They help you sort through information and often have questionnaires filled out by the candidates.

You can find voter guides from:

• The League of Women Voters
  • The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy. They have compiled guides for all 11 Nebraska counties: Adams, Buffalo, Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Douglas en Español, Hall, Lancaster, Lincoln, Madison, Sarpy and Scotts Bluff. 
  • You can also go to www.vote411.org to find interactive, nonpartisan voter guides.
• Decoding the Ballot
  • Our friends at Civic Nebraska have a great decoding the ballot resource that helps you know what the offices you’re voting on do, and how these decisions impact our community.
• Ballotpedia
  • Ballotpedia is a nonpartisan online political encyclopedia that covers federal, state, and local politics, elections, and public policy.
• Local newspapers
  • Lincoln Journal Star
  • Omaha World Herald
  • Grand Island Independent

You can also do research on candidates and issues by going to their websites. Most candidates have a section on their campaign website about different issues that matter to us and our communities.

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Our Voting Guide

To supplement these other voting resources, we have pulled information on candidates for governor, congress, state school board, and the Nebraska legislature and their stances on LGBTQ+ equality. We’ve also linked each of the candidate’s websites below so you can do more research.

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Ballot Initiatives

In addition to candidates, we are voting on 2 important ballot initiatives. We support more Nebraskans being able to provide for ourselves and our families, and we oppose any effort to restrict our access to voting.

Let’s break down the ballot initiatives:

Initiative 432

What will it say on the ballot?

A vote “FOR” will amend the Nebraska Constitution to require that, before casting a ballot in any election, a qualified voter shall present valid photographic identification in a manner specified by the Legislature.

A vote ”AGAINST” means the Nebraska Constitution will not be amended in this manner.

Shall the Nebraska Constitution be amended to require that, before casting a ballot in any election, a qualified voter shall present valid photographic identification in a manner specified by the Legislature?

Voting options

Yes – For the measure (would require the legislature to implement photo ID requirements to vote)

No – Against the measure (would uphold current voting requirements)

To protect our right to vote, VOTE AGAINST Initiative 432.

Initiative 432 only exists to make voting harder for Nebraskans, and unfairly targets marginalized communities like our transgender community, rural voters, elderly Nebraskans, and young people.

We’re concerned the strict voter ID proposed by this initiative – which is stricter than almost every other state – could have a lot of unintended consequences on voting at the polls and voting by mail. The last thing we want is for eligible voters to be denied the right to vote due to a technicality.

We also know Nebraska photo ID also costs money. Either we have to pay it at the election office, or we pay for it as taxpayers. It’s estimated this measure would cost $3 million in the first year, and $1 million every year after that to maintain.

Learn more about how Initiative 432 makes it harder for communities to vote here.

Initiative 433

What will it say on the ballot?

A vote “FOR” will amend the Nebraska statute establishing a minimum wage for employees to increase the state minimum wage from nine dollars ($9. 00) per hour to ten dollars and fifty cents ($10. 50) per hour on January 1, 2023, to twelve dollars ($12.00) per hour on January 1, 2024, to thirteen dollars and fifty cents ($13.50) per hour on January 1, 2025, and to fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour on January 1, 2026, to be adjusted annually thereafter to account for increases in the cost of living.

A vote “AGAINST” means the Nebraska statute establishing a minimum wage for employees will not be amended in such manner.

Shall the Nebraska statute establishing a minimum wage for employees be amended to increase the state minimum wage from nine dollars ($9.00) per hour to ten dollars and fifty cents ($10.50) per hour on January 1, 2023, to twelve dollars ($12.00) per hour on January 1, 2024, to thirteen dollars and fifty cents ($13.50) per hour on January 1, 2025, and to fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour on January 1, 2026, to be adjusted annually thereafter to account for increases in the cost of living?

Voting options

Yes – For the measure (would gradually increase Nebraska’s minimum wage and tie future increases to the cost of living)

No – Against the measure (would uphold current minimum wage)

To help Nebraska communities thrive, VOTE FOR Initiative 433

Initiative 433 gradually raises the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2026, giving small businesses the time needed to adjust while meeting the needs of Nebraskans. Our communities would directly benefit from better wages, allowing parents to feed their children, families to find and keep housing, and workers to pay medical bills.

Nearly 300 Nebraska businesses have signed their support behind Initiative 433 because they know better wages means more engaged workers and more spending money for customers.

Learn more about how Initiative 433 will benefit our communities here.

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Governor

Jim Pillen (R) Opposes the Equality Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Opposes comprehensive sex education, including state standards that teach about sexual orientation and gender identity Promises to “Fight The Radical Transgender Agenda.”

Carol Blood (D) Co-sponsored LR466, which backed a Supreme Court decision banning job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Co-sponsored LB120 to prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity Co-sponsored LB321, which would prohibit a defendant’s discovery of a victim’s actual or perceived gender or sexual orientation as a defense to a crime

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House of Representatives 

Incumbents noted with an asterisk (*)

1st Congressional District

Mike Flood* (R) Voted against the Respect for Marriage Act Co-sponsored LB963, which would allow medical professionals to refuse to treat anyone for “ethical, moral, or religious beliefs.” Introduced LB1050, which would allow religious student organizations to discriminate against LGBTQ+ students which still receiving university funding and resources. Voted for funding for HIV prevention and PreP (introduced in AM2561 to how Nebraska would spend the American Rescue Plan Act)

Patty Pansing-Brooks (D) Introduced LR466, which backed a Supreme Court decision banning job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Co-sponsored LB120 which would prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity Co-sponsored LB321, which would prohibit a defendant’s discovery of a victim’s actual or perceived gender or sexual orientation as a defense to a crime Voted for funding for HIV prevention and PreP (introduced in AM2561 to how Nebraska would spend the American Rescue Plan Act)

2nd Congressional District

Don Bacon* (R) Voted against the Equality Act Voted for the Respect for Marriage Act

Tony Vargas (D) Co-sponsored LR466, which backed a Supreme Court decision banning job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Voted for funding for HIV prevention and PreP (introduced in AM2561 to how Nebraska would spend the American Rescue Plan Act)

3rd Congressional District

Adrian Smith* (R) Voted against the Equality Act Voted against the Respect for Marriage Act

David Else (D) No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available

Mark Elworth Jr. (Legal Marijuana Now Party) No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available Note: The Library of Congress recognizes his Facebook page as his official campaign website

State Board of Education

Incumbents noted with an asterisk (*)

District 5
Kirk Penner* Opposes comprehensive sex education	Helen Raikes On comprehensive sex education: “I do not think that many or any schools would want to select a curriculum that “promotes” transgender ideology but would select curriculum and procedures that are sensitive to students.”
District 6
Danielle Helzer No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available	Sherry Jones No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 7
Robin Stevens* On health standards: “As a result of my leadership, the controversial health standards have been postponed indefinitely. These issues belong primarily between parents and their children. I believe local schools and their elected school boards should have more control over sensitive curriculum.”	Elizabeth Tegtmeier No public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 8
Marni Hodgen  On proposed state sex education standards: ”The proposed health standards..are my main reasons for running.  When elected I will be a roadblock to the passing of these standards. I guarantee I will be a long-term safeguard against comprehensive sex education (CSE)…”	Deborah Neary* Supports comprehensive sex education

State Legislature

Incumbents noted with an asterisk (*)

District 2
Robert Clements* Opposed comprehensive sex education standards (1)(2) proposed by the the State Board of Education Co-sponsored LB1077, which would prohibit public schools, public postsecondary institutions, and governmental entities from training or teaching certain concepts relating to race and sex and provide for withholding of state funds Voted against funding for HIV prevention and PreP (introduced in AM2561 to how Nebraska would spend the American Rescue Plan Act)	Sarah Slattery No public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 4
R. Brad von Gillern No public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available	Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek No public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 6
Machaela Cavanaugh* Co-sponsored LB229, which would provide for enhanced penalties and a civil action for crimes committed because of a victim’s gender identity or association with a person of a certain gender identity Co-sponsored LB230, which would prohibit discrimination in public accommodations and under the Nebraska Fair Housing Act on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity Co-sponsored LB321, which would prohibit a defendant’s discovery of a victim’s actual or perceived gender or sexual orientation as a defense to a crime Introduced LB745, which would make language around marriage and on marriage forms gender neutral Voted for funding for HIV prevention and PreP (introduced in AM2561 to how Nebraska would spend the American Rescue Plan Act)	Christian Mirch No public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 8
Marilyn Asher Opposes comprehensive sex education standards	Megan Hunt* Introduced LB120, which would prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity Introduced LB229, which would provide for enhanced penalties and a civil action for crimes committed because of a victim’s gender identity or association with a person of a certain gender identity Introduced LB230, which would prohibit discrimination in public accommodations and under the Nebraska Fair Housing Act on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity Introduced LB231, which would prohibit conversion therapy Introduced LB232, which would change provisions relating to gender designation on drivers’ licenses and state identification cards Introduced LB517, which would provide for a gender neutral designation on operator’s licenses and state identification cards and provide for amendment of a birth certificate Introduced LB1136, which would adopt the Senior Care LGBTQ Discrimination Prevention Act Voted for funding for HIV prevention and PreP (introduced in AM2561 to how Nebraska would spend the American Rescue Plan Act)
District 10
Wendy DeBoer* Co-sponsored LB120, which would prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity Co-sponsored LB229, which would provide for enhanced penalties and a civil action for crimes committed because of a victim’s gender identity or association with a person of a certain gender identity Voted for funding for HIV prevention and PreP (introduced in AM2561 to how Nebraska would spend the American Rescue Plan Act)	Lou Ann Goding Supported updating sex education during her tenure as school board president for Omaha Public Schools (1) No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 12
Robin Richards No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available	Merv Riepe No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 14
John Arch* Opposed comprehensive sex education standards (1)(2) proposed by the the State Board of Education	Cori Villegas No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 16
Ben Hansen* Opposed comprehensive sex education standards (1)(2) proposed by the the State Board of Education Introduced LB1077, which would prohibit public schools, public postsecondary institutions, and governmental entities from training or teaching certain concepts relating to race and sex and provide for withholding of state funds	Connie Petersen On comprehensive sex education: “I oppose Sex Education prior to 7th grade.”
District 18
Christy Armendariz No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available	Michael Young No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 20
Stuart Dornan No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available	John Fredrickson No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 22
Mike Moser* Opposed comprehensive sex education standards (1)(2) proposed by the the State Board of Education	Roy Zach No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 24
Patrick Hotovy No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available	Jana Hughes No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 26
Russ Barger No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available	George Dungan III No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 28
Roy Christensen  Voted against banning conversion therapy during his time on the Lincoln City Council	Jane Raybould Voted to ban conversion therapy during her time on the Lincoln City Council
District 30
Myron Dorn* Opposed comprehensive sex education standards (1)(2) proposed by the the State Board of Education Voted for funding for HIV prevention and PreP (introduced in AM2561 to how Nebraska would spend the American Rescue Plan Act)	Unopposed
District 32
Tom Brandt* Opposed comprehensive sex education standards (1)(2) proposed by the the State Board of Education Voted for funding for HIV prevention and PreP (introduced in AM2561 to how Nebraska would spend the American Rescue Plan Act)	Unopposed
District 34
Loren Lippincott  No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available	Michael Reimers No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 36
Rick Holdcroft  No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available	Angie Lauritsen No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 38
Tyler Cappel No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available	Dave Murman* Opposed comprehensive sex education standards (1)(2) proposed by the the State Board of Education Co-sponsored LB1077, which would prohibit public schools, public postsecondary institutions, and governmental entities from training or teaching certain concepts relating to race and sex and provide for withholding of state funds Introduced LB963, which would allow medical professionals to refuse to treat anyone for “ethical, moral, or religious beliefs.” Voted for funding for HIV prevention and PreP (introduced in AM2561 to how Nebraska would spend the American Rescue Plan Act)
District 40
Barry DeKay  No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available	Keith Kube No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 42
Chris Bruns No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available	Michael Jacobson* No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available
District 44
Teresa Ibach On comprehensive sex education: “Teresa opposes the…woke left sex education agenda being forced on our children.”	Unopposed
District 46
James Michael Bowers  Introduced and passed a ban on conversion therapy during his time on the Lincoln City Council	Danielle Conrad Introduced LB485, which would prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation as prescribed
District 48
Brian Hardin On comprehensive sex education: “Shrink…gender-bending studies which divide instead of unite.”	Don Lease II No official public stances on LGBTQ+ rights available