Election 2026Thursday, October 29
Nebraska voters will decide Measure 442, which would put school sports rules in the state constitution
The Morning Omaha team
If you're wondering what Measure 442 does, KMTV explains that it would require school sports teams to be designated male, female or co-ed. It would restrict female teams to female students. At a Capitol hearing, The Daily Nebraskan reports, it was described as applying to public schools, colleges, universities and private schools that compete against public schools.
The numbers behind the school sports measure
- 65,000
- roughly, average yearly participants in major sports
- 8
- transgender applications to NSAA committee, 2018 through 2025
- 211,000+
- petition signatures, per sponsor Julie Slama
- $3.1 million
- PAC donation to the effort, per opponents
Sources: KMTV 3 News Now Omaha, The Daily Nebraskan
KMTV asked about 10 early voters what mattered when they cast ballots. Few raised the measure unprompted, and opinions were divided when asked directly.
Eight of about 10 early voters cited cost of living
Source: KMTV 3 News Now Omaha
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Cost of living | 8 |
| Measure 442 | 2 |
- Supporter at hearing: Nate Grasz, Nebraska Family Alliance
- Opponents: Fairness for All coalition, citing a 2025 state law
- NSAA changed its participation policy after that 2025 law
Sources: KMTV 3 News Now Omaha, The Daily Nebraskan