Malcolm Rivera
The Iowa Constitution, which outlines the state's framework for governance, has been amended several times since its creation in 1857. It provides two mechanisms for making changes: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Amendments to the constitution are governed by Article X, which requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for approval. Before a vote, any proposition to amend the constitution must be published for three months in two newspapers of general circulation in each congressional district and on a General Assembly internet site.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of state constitutions Iowa has had | 3 |
| Number of times the current constitution has been amended | 51 |
| Voter approval for amendments | Simple majority (50% plus 1) |
| Legislative process requirements | Publication for three months prior to the general election in two newspapers and on a General Assembly internet site |
| Number of constitutional conventions held | 3 |
| Year of the current constitution | 1857 |
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What You'll Learn
Iowa's constitution has been amended 46 times since 1857
The Constitution of Iowa has been amended 46 times since its creation in 1857. Iowa has had three state constitutions, with the current one being adopted in August 1857. This document outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters.
The Iowa Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. The legislative process involves the General Assembly, which proposes an amendment that must be published for three months before the general election. This publication must appear in two newspapers with a wide readership in each congressional district and on a General Assembly internet site.
The state constitutional convention is an automatic question on the state's ballot every 10 years since 1970. Iowa is one of 14 states that provide for this automatic convention question. A simple majority vote (50% plus 1) is required for voters to approve constitutional amendments.
The amendments to the Constitution are presented at the appropriate place in the text, followed by a footnote referring to the latest amendment, identified by the year of ratification and amendment number. These amendments are incorporated into the original document and are ratified by voters.
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Amendments are proposed by the General Assembly
Iowa's current constitution has been amended 46 times since its creation in 1857, with voters most recently approving two new amendments on November 5, 2024. The Iowa Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention.
The legislative process for amending the Iowa Constitution is outlined in Article X of the state's constitution, which governs the ways in which the document can be changed over time. This article has three sections and describes the steps that must be taken to propose and ratify amendments. It is important to note that amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
The General Assembly plays a crucial role in proposing and facilitating the publication of constitutional amendments. By following the legislative process outlined in Article X, the General Assembly ensures that proposed amendments are properly publicized and accessible to the citizens of Iowa before they are put to a vote. This process helps to uphold the democratic principles of transparency and citizen engagement in the state's constitutional amendment process.
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A simple majority vote is required for approval
Iowa's Constitution has been amended 51 times since its creation in 1857. The state's current constitution was adopted in August 1857 by a vote of 40,311 to 38,681. Iowa requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments. This amounts to a minimum of 51 votes in the Iowa House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Iowa State Senate, assuming no vacancies.
A simple majority vote is required during two successive legislative sessions, with an election for state legislators in between, for the Iowa State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
The Iowa Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Whenever any proposition to amend the Constitution has passed the General Assembly and been referred to the next succeeding legislature, the General Assembly must publish it for three months before the general election for the next succeeding legislature. This publication is required in two newspapers of general circulation in each congressional district in the state and on an internet site of the General Assembly.
The amendments to the Constitution are presented at the appropriate place in the text, followed by a footnote referring to the latest amendment, identified by the year of ratification and amendment number.
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Amendments are published in newspapers and online
Iowa's current constitution has been amended 51 times since its creation in 1857. The Iowa Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. A proposition to amend the Constitution must pass the General Assembly and be referred to the next succeeding legislature. Once this happens, the General Assembly must publish the proposition for three months before the general election for the next succeeding legislature.
The publication must be featured in two newspapers with a general circulation in each congressional district in the state and on an internet site of the General Assembly for each of the three months. The General Assembly must provide proof of publication to the office of the state commissioner of elections. This includes affidavits of newspapers regarding publication, certification by the General Assembly regarding the selection of newspapers, and certification by the General Assembly regarding publication on an internet site.
The Iowa Constitution is available online and incorporates all amendments ratified by the voters through the 2010 general election. The amendments are presented at the appropriate place in the text, followed by a footnote referring to the latest amendment, identified by the year of ratification and amendment number. The 2019 republication of the Iowa Constitution includes a revision-marked copy showing changes made to the publication.
Iowa requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments. This amounts to a minimum of 51 votes in the Iowa House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Iowa State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
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The constitution has 12 articles
The Constitution of Iowa has been amended 51 times since its creation in 1857. The current constitution has 12 articles.
Article I of the Iowa Constitution is the "Bill of Rights" and it outlines the rights of the citizens of Iowa in detail across 25 sections. Article II is entitled the "Right of Suffrage". Article IV establishes the "Executive Department" and outlines the powers of the governor, while Article V establishes the "Judicial Department" and the court system. Article VI is about the "Militia", and Article VII concerns "State Debts". Article VIII is about "Corporations".
Article X of the Iowa Constitution is about "Amendments to the Constitution" and outlines the ways in which the state's constitution can be changed and how amendments are made. This includes the legislative process and the state constitutional convention. A simple majority vote (50% plus 1) is required for voters to approve constitutional amendments. Proposed amendments must be published for three months prior to the general election in two newspapers of general circulation in each congressional district and on a General Assembly internet site.
The Iowa Constitution has been amended many times, with the most recent amendments being approved by voters on November 5, 2024.
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Frequently asked questions
Iowa's current constitution has been amended 51 times since its creation in 1857.
Iowa is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question to appear on the state's ballot every 10 years.
Iowa's Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. A simple majority vote (50% plus 1) is required for voters to approve constitutional amendments.
Whenever a proposition to amend the Constitution has passed the General Assembly, it shall be published for three months prior to the general election for the next succeeding legislature. Publication is required in two newspapers of general circulation in each congressional district in the state and on an internet site of the General Assembly.
According to Article X of the Iowa Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention automatically appears on the state's ballot every 10 years. If a majority of voters approve the convention, delegates are elected to attend and propose amendments to the Constitution, which are then put to a statewide vote.
