LINCOLN, Neb. - Nebraskans could vote on whether it should be easier to vote - on ballot initiatives.

Saying that only big-money groups are now able to gather enough petition signatures to put issues on the ballot, Omaha businessman Kent Bernbeck may launch a petition drive to lower the number of signatures needed.

Bernbeck said Friday he'll try to convince lawmakers to put the matter to a vote, but doubts that will work. So, he says, it's likely he'll try to put the issue before voters.

The number of signatures needed to change the state Constitution or create a state law almost doubled after a 1994 state Supreme Court decision.

It changed the signature threshold from a certain percentage of voters in a gubernatorial election to a percentage of total, registered voters.