Constitutional Measure 1Constitutional amendment · Put on the ballot by lawmakers
60% vote for constitutional changes
Explain it like I'm 5
Changing North Dakota’s rulebook would need 60 yes votes out of every 100, instead of just more than half. It is like raising a class rule’s passing score from 51 to 60.
Yes vote
Constitutional amendments proposed by citizens or the Legislature would need at least 60% approval.
No vote
Constitutional amendments would continue to pass with more than 50% approval.
The question to ask yourself
Should permanent constitutional changes require broad consensus, or should a simple majority decide?
The case for
- Supporters say permanent constitutional changes should have broad agreement.
- A higher threshold could reduce narrow wins by heavily funded campaigns.
- The same rule would apply to citizen and legislative amendments.
Backed by: StrongND, North Dakota Farm Bureau, North Dakota Right to Life, North Dakota Family Alliance
The case against
- A minority of voters could block a change supported by most voters.
- The measure would make citizen-led constitutional reform harder.
- Existing petition rules and statewide voting already require substantial support.
Opposed by: North Dakota Watchdog Network, League of Women Voters of North Dakota, North Dakota AFL-CIO, The Fairness Project
- Money
- The Secretary of State estimates no fiscal impact and no direct cost.
- Don't be misled
- It is misleading to say this ends citizen initiatives, because citizens could still propose amendments, but passage would require 60%.