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Campaign seeks to put Nebraska's death penalty on the ballot

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Death penalty supporters have announced a new referendum campaign to place the issue before voters following last week's legislative vote to abolish capital punishment.

Organizers announced the formation Monday of Nebraskans for the Death Penalty, which will gather signatures to try to overturn the new law. If approved, the issue would go before voters in the 2016 statewide election.

Campaign board members include Omaha City Councilwoman Aimee Melton, former State Board of Education member Bob Evnen, and Judy Glassburner, Nebraska Republican Party Third District Vice-Chair.

Supporters have until Aug. 27 to submit enough signatures for a referendum. At current voter registration levels, they will need at least 56,708 signatures. Spokesman Chris Peterson says the group is reaching out to supporters and will announce more details in the next few days.

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