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Judge rejects legal action in Nebraska death-penalty vote

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lancaster County judge has rejected a lawsuit challenging the death-penalty question going to Nebraska voters in November, but has also prevented a pro-death penalty group from being part of another suit challenging ballot wording.

The Lincoln Journal-Star reports (http://bit.ly/1nKtQZL ) that judge Lori Maret issued orders Friday dismissing the case brought by death penalty opponents Christy and Richard Hargesheimer. She also dismissed a motion by Nebraskans for the Death Penalty to intervene in another suit filed by attorney Lyle Koenig of Beatrice.

The Hargesheimers' suit sought to keep Secretary of State John Gale from placing the question on the ballot. They said the process shouldn't be valid because it failed to disclose Gov. Pete Ricketts as a sponsor.

Koenig's issue with the question had to do with the title and explanatory statement Gale chose to appear on the ballot.

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Information from: Lincoln Journal Star, http://www.journalstar.com

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