Jonah Patel
The Arizona Constitution, the governing document for the State of Arizona, has been amended 161 times since its adoption in 1912. The state offers three methods for amending its constitution: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Arizona is one of the few states that allow voter-initiated amendments to the state constitution. The state requires citizens to collect signatures equal to 15% of the votes cast in the previous gubernatorial election to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. However, a ballot measure in 2024 sought to establish a signature distribution requirement for citizen-initiated amendments, making it harder to amend the constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of methods to amend the constitution | 3 |
| Methods | Citizen-initiated process, legislative process, and state constitutional convention |
| Vote required for citizen-initiated amendments | 15% of votes cast in the previous gubernatorial election |
| Vote required for legislative amendments | Simple majority |
| Vote required for ballot measures to approve taxes | 60% |
| Number of times the constitution has been amended | 161 |
| Last amendment approved | November 5, 2024 |
| Amendment of sections concerning Congress's subject jurisdiction | Requires approval of Congress |
| Amendment of other sections | Requires majority vote |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Citizen-initiated amendments
The Arizona Constitution provides for three methods of amending the state constitution: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Arizona is one of the 18 states that allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In Arizona, citizens can propose laws or constitutional amendments through the initiative process outlined in the state's constitution. To place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot, citizens must collect signatures equal to 15% of the votes cast in the previous gubernatorial election. These signatures can come from anywhere in the state. Petitions can be circulated for up to 24 months, and signatures must be submitted four months before the election at which the measure is to appear.
However, a ballot measure in the 2024 election sought to amend the state constitution by establishing a signature distribution requirement for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments. If approved, Arizona would become the 17th state to impose a geographic requirement for introducing voter-initiated constitutional amendments. This means that instead of collecting signatures from across the state, supporters of an amendment would have to reach the required threshold in every legislative district.
The geographic distribution requirement has been a source of political contention, with some arguing that it grants voters in each legislative district "veto power" over proposed legislation. On the other hand, supporters of the geographic requirement argue that it ensures initiatives have a broader base of support and prevents a small coalition of voters from a concentrated area from proposing an initiative.
While the specific procedures vary, citizen-initiated amendments generally require supporters to gather a significant number of signatures to qualify for a vote on the amendment.
Amending the Constitution: Understanding the Second Amendment
You may want to see also
Legislative amendments
The Arizona Constitution provides for three methods of amending the document: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.
The Arizona State Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide. A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Arizona State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. This amounts to a minimum of 31 votes in the Arizona House of Representatives and 16 votes in the Arizona State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
The legislature does not have the power to repeal or amend an initiative measure approved by a majority of votes. However, the legislature can amend an initiative measure if it furthers the purposes of such a measure and at least three-fourths of the members of each house of the legislature vote to amend it.
The easiest route to legislative approval of amendments is to permit approval by a majority vote in a single session. This path is available in 10 states. Twenty-five states set a higher threshold by requiring amendments to be proposed by a supermajority legislative vote in a single session.
The Mini Constitution: A Powerful Amendment
You may want to see also
State constitutional convention
The Arizona Constitution provides for three methods of amending the state constitution, one of which is a state constitutional convention. This method involves the state legislature calling for a convention, but only if it is approved by the electorate in a statewide vote.
The Arizona Constitution was first drafted in 1910, when the Arizona Territory was authorized to hold a constitutional convention. The constitution was then submitted to Congress and approved, but President William H. Taft vetoed it due to an objection concerning the recalling of judges. The convention amended the document to address this objection, and Arizona was granted statehood in 1912.
Following this, the state legislature approved a constitutional amendment to restore the ability to recall judges, which was approved in the 1912 general election. This highlights the role of the state constitutional convention in amending the Arizona Constitution, as it allowed for a revision to the document before Arizona's statehood was officially recognized.
The state constitutional convention method is a formal process that involves convening a group of delegates or representatives to propose amendments or revisions to the state constitution. This process is typically initiated by the state legislature, but it requires approval from the citizens of Arizona through a statewide vote. This ensures that any changes to the constitution reflect the will of the people and are not solely decided by the legislature.
The specific procedures and requirements for a state constitutional convention in Arizona are outlined in the state's constitution and relevant laws. These details govern the process of calling for a convention, the rules for delegate selection, the scope of proposed amendments, and the ratification process for any changes that are agreed upon during the convention.
Amendments: The Constitution's First Changes
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Majority approval
The Arizona Constitution can be amended through three methods: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. The state requires a simple majority to approve constitutional amendments, with a 60% vote required to pass ballot measures to approve taxes.
Citizen-Initiated Process
Citizens of Arizona have the power to initiate constitutional amendments. This is done through a citizen-initiated ballot measure, which requires signatures from 15% of the votes cast for governor in the most recent gubernatorial election. This is the highest bar for citizen-initiated amendments in the country. These signatures can be collected from anywhere in the state, and petitions can be circulated for up to 24 months. Signatures must be submitted four months before the election at which the measure will appear.
If the required number of signatures is collected, the proposed amendment will be put to a vote. A simple majority is required for voter approval. The governor does not have the power to veto an initiative measure approved by a majority of votes.
Legislative Process
The state legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide. A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Arizona State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. This amounts to a minimum of 31 votes in the Arizona House of Representatives and 16 votes in the Arizona State Senate. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
State Constitutional Convention
The Arizona Constitution was originally drafted at a constitutional convention in 1910. This convention produced the document that was submitted to Congress and, after some amendments, approved by President Taft in 1912.
Recent Amendments
The Arizona Constitution has been amended 161 times. The most recent amendment was approved on November 5, 2024, and concerned reproductive rights.
Constitutional Equality: State Protections Under the 14th Amendment
You may want to see also
Signature distribution requirements
Arizona's constitution outlines the initiative process through which voters may propose laws or constitutional amendments. The state currently requires citizens to collect signatures equal to 15% of the votes cast in the previous gubernatorial election to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot and 10% to place a proposed statute on the ballot. These signatures may come from anywhere in the state.
However, a ballot measure in the 2024 election sought to amend the state constitution to establish a signature distribution requirement for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments. The signature distribution amendment would maintain the 15% and 10% thresholds but would require voters to reach these thresholds in every legislative district rather than on a statewide basis. This would make it harder to amend the state constitution by making it more difficult for changes to get on the ballot in the first place.
If voters approve the measure, Arizona will be the 17th state to impose a geographic requirement to the process of introducing voter-initiated statutes and constitutional amendments. Such geographic requirements have most frequently been passed by legislatures, not put to voters as potential constitutional amendments. Many of these efforts have been struck down on state constitutional grounds.
A simple majority is required for voter approval of constitutional amendments in Arizona. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
The Right to Abortion: Constitutional Amendments Explored
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The current Arizona Constitution has been amended 161 times.
The Arizona Constitution provides three methods for amending the document: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.
In Arizona, citizens must collect signatures equal to 15% of the votes cast in the previous gubernatorial election to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. These signatures can come from anywhere in the state.
The state Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide. A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Arizona State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
A geographic distribution requirement mandates that a certain percentage of signatures come from each legislative district in the state. Arizona introduced such a requirement in 2024, becoming the 17th state to do so.
