Lincoln official rejects ‘Fairness Ordinance’ petition over missing statement

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A petition that would put the “Fairness Ordinance” on the November ballot has been rejected because of a missing statement.

On Monday, Lancaster County Election Commissioner David Shively sent a letter to the city clerk regarding the 11,013 petition signatures turned in by the group, Let Lincoln Vote.

Shively wrote that his office would be unable to verify the signatures because the petition did not follow state law.

In Nebraska, each petition requires a statement indicating whether or not it was circulated by a paid or volunteer signature collector.

“Since I am not able to verify the petitions, I am returning the petitions to your office as no further action by my office is necessary,” Shively wrote.

Let Lincoln Vote spokeswoman Kay Siebler says the group is still determined to get the initiative on the ballot.

The group doesn’t have a plan set in stone at the moment, but she says they will work to honor the 11,000 signatures that were collected.

In February, the Lincoln City Council voted to implement the “Fairness Ordinance,” which would protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and military status.

Then in June, Nebraska Family Alliance gathered enough signatures to require the council to either rescind or put the ordinance on the ballot.

But ultimately, the council voted to rescind the “Fairness Ordinance.”

On Monday, Let Lincoln Vote turned in over 11,000 signatures, surpassing the 8,854 required to be put onto the ballot in November.

See also: Lincoln group’s ‘Fairness Ordinance’ petition gets over 11,000 signatures, organizers say