In the United States, Nebraska is the only state with a unicameral legislature, meaning it has only one legislative chamber. This makes it unique compared to the other 49 states, all of which have bicameral legislatures with both a House of Representatives and a Senate.
Nebraska’s unicameral system was adopted in 1937, following a movement led by Senator George W. Norris, who believed that a single-chamber legislature would be more efficient, less expensive, and more accountable.
This topic explores the history, advantages, disadvantages, and impact of Nebraska’s unicameral legislature, offering insight into why no other state has followed suit.
The History of Nebraska’s Unicameral Legislature
The Early Bicameral System
Like other states, Nebraska originally had a bicameral legislature. However, by the early 20th century, dissatisfaction with government inefficiency and excessive spending led to calls for reform.
One of the strongest advocates for a unicameral system was Senator George W. Norris, who argued that having two legislative chambers was unnecessary and led to corruption and confusion.
The 1934 Vote for Change
In 1934, Nebraska voters approved a constitutional amendment to switch to a unicameral legislature. The change was largely driven by:
- Cost-cutting measures during the Great Depression
- Frustration with political gridlock
- A desire for greater transparency in government
By 1937, Nebraska officially became a unicameral legislature, and it remains the only state with this system today.
How Nebraska’s Unicameral Legislature Works
The Legislative Structure
Nebraska’s Legislature consists of 49 members, known as senators, who are elected from districts across the state. Unlike other state legislatures, Nebraska’s system is nonpartisan, meaning candidates do not run under political party labels on the ballot.
Lawmaking Process in a Unicameral System
Despite having only one chamber, Nebraska’s legislative process is similar to other states:
- Bill Introduction – A senator proposes a bill.
- Committee Review – The bill is sent to a committee for detailed examination and potential amendments.
- General File Debate – The bill is debated and voted on.
- Select File Debate – A second round of discussion and potential amendments.
- Final Reading and Vote – A final vote determines whether the bill passes.
- Governor’s Approval – The governor can sign or veto the bill.
Since there is only one chamber, bills move more efficiently through the process compared to bicameral legislatures.
Benefits of Nebraska’s Unicameral Legislature
1. Lower Costs and Greater Efficiency
With just one chamber, Nebraska’s government spends less on salaries, staff, and administrative expenses. A smaller legislative body means fewer debates, fewer delays, and quicker decision-making.
2. Increased Transparency
In a bicameral legislature, bills can be altered behind closed doors in committee meetings, making it hard for the public to follow the legislative process. Nebraska’s unicameral system ensures that all discussions happen in a single chamber, making it easier for citizens to track decisions.
3. Reduced Political Gridlock
Since Nebraska’s legislature is nonpartisan, senators are less influenced by party politics. This allows lawmakers to focus on policies rather than party loyalty, leading to more cooperation and fewer legislative deadlocks.
4. Easier for Citizens to Participate
With a unicameral legislature, Nebraska’s residents have a clearer understanding of the lawmaking process. Public hearings are required for every bill, ensuring that citizens can voice their opinions and influence decisions.
Challenges of a Unicameral Legislature
1. Fewer Checks and Balances
A bicameral system provides an extra layer of review to prevent the passage of flawed or rushed laws. In Nebraska, there is no second chamber to review and refine legislation, which increases the risk of unintended consequences.
2. Potential for Majority Rule Without Opposition
With only one legislative chamber, a dominant political group can pass laws without strong opposition. In bicameral legislatures, the two chambers often represent different constituencies, balancing power and ensuring that no single group dominates.
3. Limited Representation of Minority Interests
In bicameral legislatures, one chamber often represents population-based districts, while the other represents regional or geographic interests. Nebraska’s unicameral system lacks this dual representation, which can limit the influence of smaller communities or minority groups.
Why No Other State Has Adopted a Unicameral Legislature
1. Tradition and Resistance to Change
Most states are deeply rooted in their bicameral systems, which are modeled after the U.S. Congress. Changing to a unicameral system would require a constitutional amendment and significant political reform, which most states are unwilling to pursue.
2. Fear of Reduced Accountability
Opponents argue that bicameral systems provide better checks and balances by requiring laws to pass through two separate chambers. Some lawmakers believe that removing one chamber could lead to a concentration of power and make government less accountable.
3. Lack of Strong Advocacy for Change
Nebraska’s shift to a unicameral legislature was largely driven by Senator George Norris, who dedicated years to the cause. No similar high-profile political leader has emerged in other states to champion the unicameral model.
How Nebraska’s System Compares to Other Governments
Unicameral Legislatures Around the World
While Nebraska is unique in the U.S., many other countries use unicameral legislatures, including:
- Sweden
- New Zealand
- China
- Denmark
These countries have demonstrated that unicameralism can be an effective form of governance, depending on the political and cultural context.
Bicameral vs. Unicameral: Which is Better?
The ideal legislative structure depends on a state’s political landscape and governance needs. While bicameral legislatures offer stronger checks and balances, unicameral legislatures can be more efficient and transparent.
Could Other States Adopt a Unicameral Legislature?
Possible Reforms
Although no state has followed Nebraska’s lead, some states have considered:
- Reducing the size of their legislatures to cut costs.
- Making their legislatures nonpartisan to reduce political gridlock.
- Simplifying legislative procedures to increase efficiency.
While a full transition to unicameralism is unlikely, partial reforms inspired by Nebraska’s system may be possible.
Nebraska remains the only U.S. state with a unicameral legislature, a unique system that provides cost savings, efficiency, transparency, and reduced political gridlock.
However, its challenges—including fewer checks and balances and limited representation of minority interests—have made other states reluctant to adopt the unicameral model.
Despite this, Nebraska’s legislative system continues to spark discussions about government efficiency and whether other states should consider similar reforms. Whether unicameralism will spread beyond Nebraska remains an open question, but its success proves that alternative governance models can work in the U.S. system.