Petition filed to repeal law moving Nebraska State Fair

Nebraskans may be able to vote on whether to move the state fair from its longtime home in Lincoln to Grand Island. A referendum petition to repeal a new state law authorizing the move was filed Monday with the Secretary of State’s office. The Grand Island Independent reports that seven people from Omaha and Lincoln filed the petition.

To get the referendum on the November ballot, about 60,000 signatures would need to be collected. According to the Secretary of State’s Web site, petitions to repeal a state law are valid if the signatures are received within 90 days of the adjournment of the Legislative session.

Lawmakers finished their work on April 17, which means the signatures are due in mid-July. In April, Gov. Dave Heineman signed legislation that will move the Nebraska State Fair to Grand Island by 2010. The law was the culmination of months of deal-making between parties interested in having the fair, state officials and UNL.