LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Legislature’s vote to abolish the death penalty was hailed as a sign that red-state conservatives are turning away from the punishment, but opponents now face the much greater challenge of persuading voters.

National death penalty experts say the campaign could test the notion that conservative sentiment has shifted. Even some opponents of capital punishment acknowledge they face an uphill battle.

Ohio State University law professor Doug Berman, a death penalty expert, says the vote drew national attention because it played into the notion that capital punishment was losing support in a deeply conservative state.

Nebraskans for the Death Penalty announced last month it had gathered nearly 167,000 signatures, nearly three times the minimum number needed to place the issue on the November 2016 ballot.