LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have rejected an attempt to end secret-ballot voting for legislative leaders.

The proposed rule change would have required senators to disclose their votes when picking committee leaders and their speaker. The measure failed on Thursday, with 12 senators voting for it and 33 against.

Some conservative lawmakers argue the Legislature should have to vote publicly when picking leaders as a matter of transparency.

Democrats and some Republican lawmakers say the proposal is attempt by state and county GOP officials to exert control over them. They also say it could lead to resentment and retaliation and make the Legislature more partisan.

Republicans outnumber Democrats 35-13 in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, yet Democrats hold five of the 14 standing-committee chairmanships. Speaker Galen Hadley is a Republican.