Jonah Patel
The Minnesota Constitution has been amended several times since its initial approval by Minnesota residents in 1857 and subsequent ratification by the US Senate in 1858. Nearly 120 amendments have been approved, with the most notable being the 1974 amendment to rewrite the constitution in modern language and make it more accessible to readers. The most recent amendment was approved by voters on November 5, 2024, bringing the total number of amendments to 121. This article will explore the process of amending the Minnesota Constitution and highlight some significant changes that have been made over the years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Amendments | Nearly 120 or 121 |
| First Amendment | In 1920, the Babcock Amendment authorized 70 "constitutional route" (CR) highways |
| Amendment to Simplify the Document | Approved in 1974 |
| Last Amendment | Approved on November 5, 2024, when voters approved Amendment 1 |
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What You'll Learn
The Minnesota Constitution has been amended 121 times
The Constitution of the State of Minnesota has been amended 121 times. The most recent amendment was approved by voters on 5 November 2024. The Minnesota Constitution was first approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in a special election on 13 October 1857 and was ratified by the United States Senate on 11 May 1858, marking Minnesota's admittance to the Union as the 32nd state.
The constitution has 14 articles and was last amended in 1974 to simplify the document and make it more accessible to modern readers. This amendment did not alter the meaning of the constitution, but it did rewrite it in more modern language. If there is any ambiguity in the meaning of the constitution, the original document remains the final authority.
The Minnesota Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Amendments proposed by a convention require a 60% supermajority of those voting on the amendment, while amendments proposed by the legislature require a simple majority (50%+1) of those voting in the election. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
One notable amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is the Babcock Amendment of 1920, which authorised 70 "constitutional route" (CR) highways crossing the state. These routes are somewhat fixed and cannot be altered or removed without amending the constitution.
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Amendments require voter approval
The Minnesota Constitution has been amended 121 times since its adoption in 1857. Amendments to the Minnesota Constitution require voter approval, which can be achieved through two mechanisms: a legislative process or a state constitutional convention.
The legislative process involves the Minnesota State Legislature, which can place a constitutional amendment on the ballot with a simple majority vote during one legislative session. This means a minimum of 68 votes are required in the Minnesota House of Representatives, and 34 votes in the Minnesota State Senate. It is important to note that amendments proposed through this method only need a simple majority (50%+1) of votes during the election. Importantly, these amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
On the other hand, a state constitutional convention can also propose amendments, which then require a higher threshold of approval—a 60% supermajority of those voting on the amendment question.
Regardless of the mechanism, the process culminates in voter approval of the amendment. This democratic step ensures that any changes to the state's fundamental document, which outlines the state's governance framework, are endorsed by the people of Minnesota.
The most recent amendment, approved by voters on November 5, 2024, demonstrates the ongoing evolution of the Minnesota Constitution to meet the needs and reflect the values of the state's populace.
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The constitution was rewritten in 1974 for clarity
The Constitution of the State of Minnesota has been amended nearly 120 times, with one of the most significant amendments being the 1974 revision that simplified the document and made it more accessible to modern readers.
The Minnesota Constitution was first adopted on October 13, 1857, and ratified by the United States Senate on May 11, 1858, marking Minnesota's admittance to the Union as the 32nd state. In 1971, the Minnesota State Legislature established a constitutional study commission to review the document and make recommendations to maintain its relevance. After two years of studying the 1857 constitution, the commission suggested that it be restructured for easy reference and rewritten in contemporary language. This proposal was motivated by the desire to enhance the clarity and comprehensibility of the constitution for modern readers.
The amendment to revise the constitution was approved by voters on November 5, 1974. This modification did not alter the original meaning of the constitution. However, in cases of ambiguity, the earlier wording, including all amendments approved since its adoption in 1857, takes precedence. The 1974 amendment aimed to streamline the extensive verbiage of the original document, making it more concise and understandable for contemporary readers.
The 1974 amendment also impacted the enumeration of highways within the constitution. The Babcock Amendment of 1920 authorized 70 "constitutional route" (CR) highways across Minnesota, and these routes were initially listed in the constitution itself. Following the 1974 amendment, these highways are now referenced in the Minnesota Statutes (§161.114). While the specific route numbers may not align with highway numbers, the general routes remain fixed and cannot be altered or removed without amending the constitution.
The Minnesota Constitution continues to be a living document, with the most recent amendment, Amendment 1, approved by voters on November 5, 2024. The state's constitution outlines critical aspects of governance, including powers, structure, limitations, and the protection of individual and civil rights. Amendments can be proposed through a legislative process or a state constitutional convention, with the latter requiring a 60% supermajority for ratification.
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The Babcock Amendment authorized 70 highways
The Constitution of the State of Minnesota has been amended nearly 120 times since its initial approval in 1857. One of the most notable amendments is the Babcock Amendment, which was passed on November 2, 1920. This amendment authorized the creation of 70 "constitutional route" (CR) highways, also known as trunk highways, that crisscrossed the state. Charles M. Babcock of Elk River was chosen as the first commissioner of the Department of Highways, which was established in 1917 after the abolition of the Highway Commission.
The Babcock Amendment played a significant role in shaping Minnesota's transportation system. The 70 constitutional routes were defined as highways with numbers from 1 to 70, and they were originally listed directly in the state constitution. These routes were designed to connect various communities across Minnesota, with some extending to neighbouring states such as Iowa, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. For example, Constitutional Route 1 travelled from Iowa to Ontario via multiple cities in Minnesota, including St. Paul and Duluth.
The importance of the Babcock Amendment lies not only in its authorization of these 70 highways but also in its impact on transportation policy and funding. The amendment led to the passage of legislation in 1921 that empowered the commissioner of highways to implement the trunk highway plan. This included acquiring rights of way, locating and constructing highways, improving and maintaining roads, and managing contracts and funds. The amendment also ensured that taxes on gasoline were solely dedicated to building and maintaining roads, reflecting the growing need for a robust roadway system to accommodate the increasing number of motor vehicles in the 1920s.
Over time, the interpretation and implementation of the constitutional routes have evolved. While initially, the route numbers matched the highway numbers, this changed, and it became common for CR highways to comprise multiple trunk highways. The U.S. Highway system's creation in 1926 further influenced the composition of these routes. Today, the Minnesota Department of Transportation faces some ambiguity in interpreting the constitutional routes, as some no longer directly serve their originally designated communities. Despite these changes, the routes cannot be altered or removed without amending the constitution, underscoring the enduring impact of the Babcock Amendment on Minnesota's transportation landscape.
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The constitution has 14 articles
The Constitution of the State of Minnesota has been amended numerous times since its initial approval by Minnesota residents in 1857 and its subsequent ratification by the US Senate in 1858. The current constitution has 14 articles and has been amended 121 times, with the most recent amendment being approved by voters on November 5, 2024.
The Minnesota Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Amendments proposed by a convention require a 60% supermajority vote, while those proposed by the legislature require a simple majority (50%+1). Notably, amendments in Minnesota do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
The 14 articles of the Minnesota Constitution cover a range of topics. Article I is entitled "Bill of Rights" and consists of 17 sections, some of which echo the amendments to the US Constitution. It includes sections on freedom of speech, freedom of religion, trial by jury, due process, and protection against excessive bail or unusual punishments. Article II, "Name and Boundaries," and Article III, "Distribution of the Powers of Government", have two and one section, respectively. Article IV, "Legislative Department," is more detailed with 26 sections.
Articles IX, XI, XII, XIII, and XIV also play important roles in the constitution. Article IX, "Amendments to the Constitution," outlines the process for amending the constitution and consists of three sections. Article XI, "Appropriations and Finances," has 15 sections, while Article XII, "Special Legislation; Local Government," has five. Article XIII, "Miscellaneous Subjects," covers a range of topics with 12 sections, and Article XIV, "Public Highway System," consists of 13 sections.
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Frequently asked questions
The Minnesota Constitution has been amended 121 times.
Amendments to the Minnesota Constitution can be proposed by the state legislature or by a constitutional convention. Amendments proposed by a convention require a 60% supermajority, while those proposed by the legislature require a simple majority of 50%+1.
The most significant amendment was likely the reorganization in 1974, which simplified the document and made it easier for modern readers to understand.
