100K Medical Marijuana Signatures In Nebraska Under Investigation Amid Alleged Fraud Questions

Nebraska’s top election and legal authorities are questioning the legitimacy of nearly 100,000 signatures collected for two medical cannabis petitions slated for the 2024 ballot. Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Secretary of State Bob Evnen have cited instances of fraud and notary misconduct as grounds for their challenge.

Validity Of Signatures Challenged

In a recent legal filing, Hilgers stated that an ongoing investigation casts serious doubt on approximately 49,000 signatures on each petition. According to the Nebraska Examiner, the alleged irregularities involve fraudulent activities by petition circulators and malfeasance by notaries across 72 of the state’s 93 counties. "In the aggregate, the petition circulator fraud and notary malfeasance described taints — strips the presumption of validity — from tens of thousands of submitted signatures," said Hilgers.

Allegations focus on notaries who served simultaneously as circulators, instances where notaries stamped petitions without the circulator present and circulators allegedly engaging in fraudulent practices. If these signatures are invalidated, the petitions would fall below the required threshold of 86,499 valid signatures needed to qualify for the ballot, jeopardizing their place in the election.

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Medical Cannabis Trial Approaches Amid Controversy

At present, the legal dispute is before Lancaster County District Court Judge Susan Strong. A bench trial is scheduled to begin on October 29. Despite the ongoing challenge, early voting has already gotten underway and the medical cannabis measures is on the ballot pending the court’s decision, according to KETV.

Additionally, the investigation has already resulted in criminal charges against a paid petition circulator from Grand Island and a notary from York. Hilgers has indicated that more than ten additional individuals could face charges, as information continues to be forwarded to local law enforcement for potential further action.

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Supporters Criticize Fraud Allegations

Meanwhile, supporters of the medical cannabis initiative have criticized the state’s actions. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, the group behind the petitions, expressed outrage, asserting that officials are attempting to undermine the will of tens of thousands of voters over what they describe as mere technicalities. They emphasize that the alleged issues do not involve the voters who signed but pertain solely to procedural matters.

This marks the third attempt by Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana to bring this issue before voters. Evnen and Hilgers are requesting that the court determine the actual number of valid signatures and void the election results if the petitions do not meet legal requirements.

Signature Disputes In Nebraska And Arkansas

Interestingly, the situation in Nebraska mirrors a recent dispute in Arkansas, where the state’s Supreme Court ordered officials to count 18,000 contested signatures for a medical marijuana ballot measure after the threat of a lawsuit.

While Nebraska’s case is still under review, Arkansas advocates secured a court ruling ensuring their petition’s inclusion on the ballot, despite ongoing legal battles over signature collection practices.

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