Opinion ID: 2135518
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: constitutional amendments void

Text: The number of signatures required for placement of Measure # 407 on the ballot by the Nebraska Constitution was equal to 10 percent of the number of registered voters on the date the signatures were to be turned in, July 3, 1992. Although the exact number required on that date cannot be derived from the record before us, the uncontroverted evidence establishes that the number submitted was insufficient. The number of signatures being insufficient, the Secretary of State's placement of the petition on the ballot was erroneous. Notwithstanding this error, the people of Nebraska have expressed, as evidenced by their vote, that it is their will that the Constitution be amended as called for in the initiative petition. See State v. Winnett, 78 Neb. 379, 110 N.W. 1113 (1907). See, also, Swanson v. State, 132 Neb. 82, 271 N.W. 264 (1937); State, ex rel. Hall, v. Cline, 118 Neb. 150, 224 N.W. 6 (1929). However, we have recognized that a constitution represents the supreme written will of the people regarding the framework for their government. Jaksha v. State, 241 Neb. 106, 486 N.W.2d 858 (1992). Moreover, we have recognized that in adopting the Constitution, the people have imposed upon themselves limitations on their ability to amend this fundamental law. State v. Winnett, supra . We are concerned with one of those self-imposed limitations, the requirement that a given number of signatures be obtained before submitting the proposed initiative to the voters. This court has previously addressed situations in which the people have plainly expressed their will that the Nebraska Constitution be amended, but in which they have failed to comply with self-imposed constitutional limitations. In those instances, we have required substantial compliance with the constitutional limitations. See State v. Winnett, supra . See, also, Swanson v. State, supra ; State, ex rel. Hall, v. Cline, supra . If there was substantial compliance with the requirements of article III, § 2, then we could find in the case at hand that Measure # 407 was validly placed on the ballot. However, we cannot say that the submission of at least 30,000 too few signatures constitutes substantial compliance with the provisions of the Nebraska Constitution for an initiative by the people. Therefore, the amendments contained in Measure # 407 were not properly placed on the ballot and therefore must be declared void, despite their approval by the voters. This finding obviates the need to address Duggan's remaining assignments of error.