Simone Lawson
Utah's constitutional amendment is a complex and evolving topic, with a range of proposed changes generating discussion and debate among citizens and lawmakers alike. With a history of constitutional amendments, the state is no stranger to the process, and yet the question of whether the amendment process is increasing or decreasing in frequency remains a subject of interest. This is especially true given the recent developments surrounding the 2024 ballot, which included several proposed amendments, and the upcoming 2026 ballot, which will also address potential changes. With a mix of support and opposition for various amendments, the future of Utah's constitution is in the hands of its citizens and the courts, shaping the state's policies and laws.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ballot measures requiring supermajority for approval since 2000 | 30 |
| States requiring supermajority for approval | 11 |
| Constitutional amendments defeated in Florida despite receiving majority votes since 2000 | 13 |
| Constitutional amendments defeated in Utah despite receiving majority votes since 2000 | N/A |
| Number of times Utah's constitution has been amended | 132 |
| Year Utah was admitted to the Union | 1896 |
| Year of the Utah Enabling Act | 1894 |
| Year of the revision of the Labor Article | 1979 |
| Year of the amendment establishing a Legislative Compensation Commission | 1982 |
| Year of the constitutional amendment decreasing the upper limit of state senators | 1988 |
| Year of the controversial Utah Amendment A | 2024 |
| Year when Amendment D was voided by the Utah Supreme Court | 2024 |
| Voter approval required for Utah Constitutional Amendment B to pass | 60% |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Utah Constitutional Amendment B
Utah's Constitution, which came into effect in 1896, has been amended 132 times. One of the proposed amendments to be voted on in 2026 would require citizen-initiated ballot measures to receive at least 60% voter approval to enact certain tax-related changes. This is an example of an increasing threshold for approval.
Recent Amendments: The Living Constitution
You may want to see also
Utah Constitutional Amendment C
The amendment was approved unanimously in the Utah State Senate and the Utah House of Representatives. There was no known opposition to the amendment, and no campaign against it was identified. The ballot measure added a Section 10 to Article XI of the Utah Constitution.
Utah's process for amending its constitution involves both chambers of the state legislature passing a constitutional amendment by a two-thirds vote during a single legislative session. This process is consistent with the state's history of constitutional amendments, with 40 amendments referred to the ballot between 2000 and 2022, of which 35 were approved by voters.
The Utah Constitution has been amended 132 times since the state's admission to the Union in 1896. These amendments have covered a range of topics, including the Executive Department, Judicial Department, and Education. The process of amending the constitution allows for sections to be modified more than once in a year, with each amendment appearing as a block on a histogram.
Amendments from Civil War: Expanding Constitutional Rights
You may want to see also
Utah Constitutional Amendment D
The amendment was criticised for its misleading language and for attempting to take power away from voters and give it to politicians. The ballot summary was accused of falsely claiming that the amendment would strengthen the initiative process and require the legislature to adhere to the intent of ballot initiatives. Critics argued that the amendment would instead weaken the ability of citizens to make their voices heard and give lawmakers unfettered power over ballot initiatives.
As a result of the concerns raised, the League of Women Voters of Utah and other groups filed lawsuits to invalidate Amendment D and have it removed from the ballot. The trial court ruled in favour of the plaintiffs, finding that the ballot summary was misleading and violated the state constitution. The Utah Supreme Court unanimously upheld this decision, agreeing that the legislature had failed to comply with the publication requirements for proposed constitutional amendments.
Amendment D was ultimately voided and did not appear on the November 2024 ballot. This outcome was seen as a victory for democracy and a reinforcement of the principle that voters should choose their politicians, not the other way around.
Amendments to the Constitution: Date and History
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Utah Constitutional Amendment A
The Utah Constitutional Amendment A, formerly known as SJR 10, was a proposed amendment to the Utah Constitution that would have removed the constitutional earmark on income tax revenue. This earmark reserved income tax revenue for public and higher education and some services for children or people with disabilities. The amendment would have allowed income tax money to be used for all state needs and would have prioritized public education funding for changes in enrollment and inflation.
The amendment was opposed by the Utah Education Association (UEA), which argued that it would allow income tax revenue to be funnelled away from public education needs, threatening to defund the public education system. UEA is a state affiliate of the National Education Association and has over 18,000 members across Utah. They believe that public schools are essential for childhood development and that all students should have equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of their background.
Amendment A's opponents also alleged that the Utah Legislature violated the constitution by putting it on the ballot, as the ballot language obscured its intent and effect, and lawmakers failed to publish the actual text of the proposed amendment as required by the Utah Constitution. A judge voided Amendment A, ruling that the state had not provided sufficient public notice of the proposed amendment. The question still appeared on the ballots in 2024, but the votes were not valid.
Utah's Republican legislative leaders supported Amendment A, arguing that removing the earmark would provide more budgetary flexibility and address a structural imbalance between sales tax revenue and income tax revenue. Income tax revenue growth has outpaced other types of revenue growth.
Utah requires a 60% supermajority vote for citizen-initiated ballot measures to enact certain tax-related changes. This is a common requirement, with 11 out of 49 states requiring a supermajority vote for constitutional amendments, and it ensures that significant changes have broad support from the electorate.
Warren's Tax Plan: Constitutional Amendment Needed?
You may want to see also
Utah Constitutional Amendment history
Utah's history of constitutional amendments dates back to its journey to becoming a state. After facing obstacles due to insufficient population, concerns over polygamy, and debates about slavery, Utah was admitted to the Union as the 45th state in January 1896. Despite these challenges, Utah's first constitution has remained in effect, although it has undergone numerous amendments over time.
One notable amendment is the 1970 "Gateway Amendment," which enabled more extensive changes across multiple sections of the constitution. This amendment demonstrated a willingness to embrace significant constitutional reforms. Another important amendment occurred in 1988, when the constitutional limit on the number of state senators was decreased from a maximum of 30 to 29, a limit that still stands today.
Utah's constitution has also been amended to address specific issues. For example, in 1979, the Labor Article was revised, and in 1982, an amendment established a Legislative Compensation Commission. These amendments reflect the evolving needs and priorities of the state.
More recently, in 2025, the Utah Legislature referred a constitutional amendment to the 2026 ballot, proposing that citizen-initiated ballot measures for certain tax-related changes must receive at least 60% voter approval. This proposal aligns with the supermajority requirements in other states for approving constitutional amendments. Utah's constitution continues to evolve, adapting to the changing needs and preferences of its citizens.
The Long Road: Getting a Constitutional Amendment Passed
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Utah Constitutional Amendment refers to changes made to the state's constitution, which was first enacted in 1896.
The Utah Constitution has been amended 132 times since 1896.
Examples include the 1979 revision of the Labor Article and the 1982 amendment establishing a Legislative Compensation Commission. Another example is the 2024 Amendment B, which proposed to increase the annual distribution from the State School Fund from 4% to 5%.
Amendments to the Utah Constitution can be proposed by the legislature or through a citizen-initiated process. For an amendment to be approved, it typically requires a majority vote, although some states, including Utah, require a supermajority or a 60% vote for certain topics such as tax changes.
Yes, there are several recent and upcoming amendments. In 2024, Amendment A, which concerned education funding, was ruled invalid by the courts. Amendments B and C, which were less controversial, proposed changes to the distribution of education funding and the position of Utah sheriffs, respectively. There is also a constitutional amendment scheduled for the ballot in 2026, which would require a 60% voter approval for certain tax-related changes.
