LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska voters can expect to hear a lot about the death penalty this summer from influential people in their communities, from their local church pastor to the county sheriff.
Faith groups and law enforcement are jumping into the debate as petition circulators try to gather enough signatures to place the issue on the 2016 general election ballot.
Law enforcement groups have generally supported the punishment each year when Nebraska lawmakers considered repealing it, while some religious groups spoke against the death penalty.
Both sides are now turning their attention to the public after the Legislature voted last month to abolish capital punishment and supporters launched a petition drive to keep it.
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