Former State Senator Introduces ‘Good Government’ Charter Amendments in Lincoln

by John Gage

Former Republican State Senator Tony Fulton announced Wednesday the introduction of a slate of “good government” charter amendments in Lincoln. The amendments include a measure to change the Lincoln city election dates to align with the state and federal election calendar, term limits for city council members, and voting rights for residents in the city’s extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction (ETJ).

“These charter amendments are designed to give residents of Lincoln a stronger voice in city government, prevent the pitfalls of career politicians and ensure more voters are engaged with our city elections,” Fulton said in a statement.

Under Nebraska law, the charter amendments will need to get 5% of Lincoln residents who voted in the last gubernatorial election to sign a petition to make the ballot, roughly 5,000 voters. Filings from Fulton’s group, Good Government Lincoln, show it has already raised over $50,000 towards each of the charter amendments.

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird was quick to fire back against the announcement saying it was, “straight out of the Donald Trump playbook.”

“They can’t beat Mayor Leirion so they are trying to change the rules and misrepresent their proposals. This so-called ‘good government’ group even wants people who don’t live in Lincoln to vote in Lincoln elections,” a post from Gaylor Baird’s campaign Facebook account said, adding, “We need to reject MAGA’s misguided priorities.”

ETJ Effort Fell Short in Legislature

Good Government Lincoln said voting for ETJ residents was necessary because “they are functionally taxed and regulated by the city.” The ETJ is a three mile zone outside the Lincoln city limits where the city government has authority to dictate land use, enforce building codes, and supercede regulation by the county.

Residents currently in the ETJ do not have the right to vote in city elections. The issue was a hot topic during the last state legislative session when Lincoln State Senator Beau Ballard brought a similar measure.

Ballard’s bill failed after a last-second attempt to attach it to another priority bill was filibustered by Democratic State Senator Machaela Cavanaugh. Ballard had told The Plains Sentinel his measure had a filibuster-proof number of votes lined up, but Cavanaugh successfully used procedural moves to make sure the amendment did not have a chance of coming to a vote.

During debate on the bill, the measure divided Republican and Democratic state senators. Democratic State Senator Danielle Conrad described the bill as a “bomb” meant to disrupt the end of the session, while Republican State Senator Carolyn Bosn said she hears from constituents in the ETJ all the time who feel like the city ignores them because they do not have a vote.

Term Limits and Voter Participation

Republicans have had success with charter amendments in the past in Lincoln, even as the city leans left generally. In 2018, Republicans successfully petitioned and passed, 53% to 47%, a charter amendment to limit the Lincoln city mayor to three terms.

The success of the charter ended up term limiting out of office then-Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler, who had already won three terms.

Good Government Lincoln said it is bringing a third amendment to shift the election calendar to align with state and federal elections, “to encourage more voter involvement and save money on elections.”

Currently, the city of Lincoln holds its elections in odd years. The result has been less voter participation. Turnout for recent Lincoln elections have been as low as 20%. In contrast, the 2024 general election drew almost 75% voter turnout statewide.

Democratic State Senator John Cavanaugh in 2025 had a bill passed that would give Lincoln and Omaha the option to move their elections to even numbered years. During debate on the bill, Democratic state senators from Lincoln unsuccessfully attempted to carveout Lincoln from the bill. The bill ended up passing 49-0.

— John Gage is the executive editor of The Plains Sentinel.