Malcolm Rivera
The Nebraska Constitution is the fundamental governing document of the US state of Nebraska. It has been amended 228 times since it was first adopted in 1875, with the most recent amendment approved by voters in 2024. Nebraska offers three paths to amending its constitution: through the legislature, a citizen-initiated process, or a convention-referred constitutional amendment. All amendments require voter approval.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Amendments | 228-240 |
| First Adopted | 1875 |
| Most Recent Amendment | 2024 |
| Amendment Process | Legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred |
| Voter Approval Required | Yes |
| Single Subject Requirement | Yes |
| Legislative Amendment Proposal | 60% of members must vote in favor |
| Special Election | Requires 80% of members voting in favor |
| Amendment Approval | Majority vote required, with at least 35% voter turnout |
| Constitutional Convention | Requires 60% of legislators to agree |
| Citizen-Initiated Amendment | Requires 10% of registered voters' signatures |
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What You'll Learn
The Nebraska Constitution has been amended 228-240 times
The Nebraska Constitution has been amended 228–240 times since it was first adopted in 1875. It is the basic governing document of the US state of Nebraska, and all acts of the Nebraska Legislature, the governor, and each governmental agency are subordinate to it. The constitution is based partly on the 1870 Constitution of Illinois and was ratified on 12 October 1875, coming into force on 1 November 1875. Nicknamed the Grasshopper Constitution, it coincided with Albert's swarm, an immense concentration of grasshoppers that invaded the Western United States.
The most notable amendments to the Nebraska Constitution include the creation of a unicameral legislature and the provision of women's suffrage. The constitution can be amended with a legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment, all of which require voter approval. One notable example of the amendment process is the 1919–1920 convention, which submitted 41 amendments to voters, all of which were approved. These amendments addressed the constitutional amendment process, state executive offices, establishing English as the official language of the state, and providing women the right to vote.
Nebraska offers three different paths to amending its constitution. The first path involves the legislature proposing legislatively referred constitutional amendments, which require a 60% majority in the state legislature and subsequent voter approval. The second path is a constitutional convention, which can be held if 60% of Nebraska's legislators agree to put the question to the state's voters. If the convention is approved, voters must then ratify any proposed amendments. The third path is an initiated constitutional amendment, where citizens can propose constitutional amendments by gathering signatures from 10% of the state's registered voters.
The Nebraska Constitution's amendment process ensures that the state's fundamental governing document remains responsive to the needs and values of its citizens. The various paths for amending the constitution provide opportunities for both legislators and citizens to initiate changes, reflecting the dynamic nature of governance and the importance of adapting to the evolving needs of the state and its people.
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Amendments can be made by the legislature
The Nebraska Constitution has been amended 240 times since it was first enacted in 1875. The most recent amendment was approved by voters in 2024. The state offers three paths to amending its constitution, one of which is through the legislature.
The legislature can propose legislatively referred constitutional amendments, as defined in Section 1 of Article XVI. Sixty percent of the state legislature must vote for the proposed amendment. The legislature can then call a special statewide election to present the amendment to the voters if 80% of the legislature votes for this. If no special election is called, the proposed amendment must go on the next general election ballot that includes elections for members of the state legislature.
For the amendment to become part of the constitution, a majority of those voting on the measure must vote for it, and it must win at least 35% of the votes in the election for any office. This process was used in the 1919-1920 convention, where 100 delegates submitted 41 amendments to voters, all of which were approved.
The legislature can also initiate a constitutional convention to "revise, amend, or change" the constitution if 60% of legislators agree to put this question to the state's voters. A convention is held if the question wins by a majority vote, as long as those voting in favor equal at least 35% of those voting in the election. Amendments or revisions proposed by the convention must then be ratified by voters.
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Amendments can be citizen-initiated
The Nebraska Constitution has been amended 240 times since its inception in 1867. Notably, the citizens of Nebraska have the power to initiate amendments to the state constitution. This is a distinctive feature of the state's constitution, setting it apart from other states' constitutions.
The process of citizen-initiated amendments in Nebraska is outlined in Sections 2 and 4 of Article III of the state constitution. To propose an amendment, citizens must gather signatures from 10% of the state's registered voters. This process is known as the initiative process, and it empowers the citizens of Nebraska to directly participate in shaping the state's constitution.
The initiative process in Nebraska has a rich history. The state's constitution has been amended multiple times through citizen-initiated amendments, with the most recent amendment approved by voters in 2024. Citizen-initiated amendments have covered a range of topics, including the constitutional amendment process, state executive offices, and even establishing English as the official language of the state.
One notable example of a citizen-initiated amendment in Nebraska was the initiative to grant women the right to vote. This amendment was approved by voters, demonstrating the power of citizens to bring about significant changes to the state's constitution. The initiative process in Nebraska is designed to be accessible to citizens, with clear guidelines and requirements outlined in the state constitution.
However, it is important to note that citizen-initiated amendments in Nebraska still require voter approval. Once an initiative has gathered enough signatures, it is placed on the ballot during a statewide election. Only when a majority of voters approve the amendment does it become part of the Nebraska Constitution. This ensures that the citizens of Nebraska have the final say in shaping their state's constitution.
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Amendments can be convention-referred
The Nebraska Constitution can be amended in three ways: through a legislative process, a citizen-initiated process, or a convention-referred process. All three methods require voter approval.
The 1919-1920 convention is an example of a convention-referred process of amendment. The convention had 100 delegates and submitted 41 amendments to voters, all of which were approved. The amendments addressed a range of issues, including the constitutional amendment process, establishing English as the official language of the state, and providing women with the right to vote.
To qualify for the ballot, a petition to amend Nebraska's Constitution must be signed by 10% of the state's registered voters. This is outlined in Article III, Sections 2 and 4, and Article XVI of the Nebraska Constitution. The people of Nebraska have specifically reserved the right to amend their Constitution in these sections.
In conclusion, the convention-referred process allows for significant changes to be made to the Nebraska Constitution, with the input and approval of both legislators and voters. This process has been utilised in the past and provides a mechanism for comprehensive constitutional reform.
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The constitution is the state's fundamental document
A constitution is a set of fundamental rules that determine how a country or state is run. It is the legal basis for a polity, outlining the principles upon which the state is based, the procedure for making laws, and who has the power to do so. Constitutions also act as limiters of state power, establishing boundaries that rulers cannot cross, such as the protection of fundamental rights. They are often referred to as the supreme law of the land.
The Nebraska Constitution, currently in its second iteration, has been amended 240 times. Nebraska's first constitution was in place from 1867, the year it became a state, until 1875, when the second constitution came into effect. The current constitution has a preamble and 18 articles.
Nebraska offers three paths to amending its constitution: legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendments. All three methods require voter approval. The legislature can propose amendments, which require a 60% majority of the state legislature to pass. Alternatively, the legislature can call a special statewide election, which requires an 80% majority of the state legislature. If no special election is called, the proposed amendment must go on the next general election ballot. In both cases, the amendment must receive a majority of votes in favour, with at least 35% of votes coming from the election for any office.
The third method is through a constitutional convention, which can be held if 60% of Nebraska's legislators agree to put the question to the state's voters. If the question passes by a majority vote, with at least 35% of votes coming from those voting in the election, a convention is held. Any amendments proposed by the convention must be ratified by the voters. Citizens of Nebraska can also initiate constitutional amendments by gathering signatures equivalent to 10% of the state's registered voters.
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Frequently asked questions
There have been 228 amendments to the Nebraska Constitution since it was first adopted in 1875. However, one source states that the current constitution has been amended 240 times.
Nebraska offers three paths to amending its constitution:
- The legislature can propose legislatively referred constitutional amendments, which require a 60% majority vote from the state legislature. If 80% of the legislature agrees, a special statewide election can be called to present the amendment to voters. If no special election is called, the amendment must go on the next general election ballot. The amendment becomes part of the constitution if a majority of voters approve it, with at least 35% of the total votes cast in the election.
- A constitutional convention can be held to "revise, amend, or change" the constitution if 60% of Nebraska's legislators agree to put the question to the state's voters. If the question wins by a majority vote of at least 35% of the total votes cast in the election, a convention is held. Any amendments proposed by the convention must be ratified by the voters.
- An initiated constitutional amendment allows citizens to propose constitutional amendments. To qualify for the ballot, a petition must be signed by 10% of the state's registered voters.
Notable amendments to the Nebraska Constitution include the creation of a unicameral legislature, establishing English as the official language of the state, and providing women the right to vote.
