Isabella Carter
The Maryland Constitution, which was ratified in 1867, has been amended almost 200 times. The process of amending the constitution can be done in two ways: through a legislative process or a state constitutional convention. The legislative process involves the proposal of amendments by the state legislature, which requires a three-fifths vote in both chambers. The amendments are then published in newspapers across the state and must be approved by a majority of Maryland voters. The state constitutional convention is automatically considered every 20 years, with the latest occurrence in 2010, where voters decided against calling for a convention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of ways to amend the constitution | 2 |
| Legislative process | Requires a 60% vote during one legislative session |
| Minimum votes in the Maryland House of Delegates | 85 |
| Minimum votes in the Maryland State Senate | 29 |
| Governor's signature required | No |
| Constitutional convention | Appears on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1970 |
| Voter ratification | Required |
| Number of amendments proposed since 2006 | 1,244 |
| Number of amendments approved since 2006 | 891 |
| Number of amendments proposed in 2012 | 3 |
| Number of times the constitution has been amended | ~200 |
| Last amended | 2024 |
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![Constitution of Maryland. Adopted by the convention 1867 with amendments to 1922. 1922 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71prY52OKgL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
- Amendments are proposed by the state legislature with a three-fifths vote in both chambers
- Amendments must be approved by Maryland voters
- A constitutional convention can be called if a majority of voters request it
- Amendments can be proposed through a citizen signature petition
- Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot
Amendments are proposed by the state legislature with a three-fifths vote in both chambers
The Maryland Constitution defines two methods for amending the state constitution: the legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Amendments are proposed by the state legislature with a three-fifths vote in both chambers of the General Assembly. This means that 60% of the Maryland State Legislature must vote in favour of a constitutional amendment for it to be placed on the ballot. In terms of numbers, this amounts to a minimum of 85 votes in the Maryland House of Delegates and 29 votes in the Maryland State Senate, assuming no vacancies.
Once an amendment is approved by the required number of legislators, it is then published in newspapers across the state. After that, the amendment must be ratified by the voters. A simple majority of Maryland voters must approve the amendment in a referendum held simultaneously with the next general election. This process of voter ratification is required in every state except Delaware.
The Maryland Constitution has been amended approximately 200 times since its ratification in 1867. The most recent amendment occurred in 2024. In comparison, the average state constitution has been amended around 115 times.
Every 20 years, starting in 1970, Maryland voters are asked whether a state constitutional convention should be convened to draft a new constitution. If a majority of voters approve, any proposed new constitution must also be ratified by a majority of voters. However, in the 2010 election, voters did not choose to call for a constitutional convention.
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Amendments must be approved by Maryland voters
The process of amending Maryland's constitution involves two primary methods: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. While the former involves the state legislature proposing amendments, the latter occurs less frequently and involves voters deciding whether to convene a convention to draft a new constitution. Ultimately, amendments must be approved by Maryland voters.
Maryland's constitution requires voter ratification of proposed amendments, with each amendment requiring approval by a simple majority of voters. This process is similar across other states, with 49 out of 50 states requiring voter approval for constitutional amendments. This ensures that any changes to the state's fundamental laws reflect the will of the people.
The specific steps for amending Maryland's constitution are outlined in Article XIV of the state's constitution. Firstly, amendments must be proposed in separate bills, each addressing a specific constitutional article or section. These bills must then secure a three-fifths majority in both houses of the General Assembly, the state legislature of Maryland. This legislative body consists of two chambers: the Maryland House of Delegates and the Maryland State Senate.
Once an amendment bill passes the General Assembly, it is published in newspapers across the state. This step ensures that Maryland's citizens are informed about the proposed changes and can engage in discussions and debates before casting their votes. The final step in the amendment process is voter approval, where a simple majority of Maryland voters must ratify the amendment during a referendum held simultaneously with the next general election.
Maryland's constitution has been amended numerous times since its ratification in 1867. As of 2024, there have been nearly 200 amendments, with the most recent one occurring in that year. One notable example of a rejected amendment was the Digges Amendment, proposed in 1910, which aimed to increase property requirements for voter registration but was ultimately rejected by voters. On the other hand, amendments approved by voters can bring about significant changes, such as the 2012 amendment that changed the rules regarding the suspension and removal of elected officials charged with certain crimes.
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A constitutional convention can be called if a majority of voters request it
The Maryland Constitution defines two ways to amend the state constitution: through a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. A constitutional convention can be called if a majority of voters request it. This is also known as a convention-referred constitutional amendment.
According to Section 2 of Article XIV of the Maryland Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1970. This means that every 20 years, Maryland voters must decide whether to call a constitutional convention for the drafting of a new constitution. Maryland is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question. If a majority of voters request a convention, any draft constitution it produces must be approved by a majority of Maryland voters.
The process of amending the Maryland Constitution typically begins with the proposal of amendments by the state legislature, requiring a three-fifths vote in both chambers. These amendments must then be ratified by a simple majority of voters in a referendum held during the next general election. It is worth noting that Maryland's constitution is much longer than the average state constitution in the United States, with approximately 47,000 words, and has been amended nearly 200 times since its ratification in 1867.
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Amendments can be proposed through a citizen signature petition
The Maryland Constitution, which was ratified on September 18, 1867, has been amended almost 200 times, most recently in 2024. While amendments are typically proposed by the state legislature, there are two ways to amend the state constitution in Maryland: through a legislative process and a state constitutional convention.
One way to propose an amendment is through a citizen signature petition, known as an initiated constitutional amendment. This method allows citizens to bypass the state legislature and place their proposed amendment directly on the ballot for voter consideration. This process is available in 18 states, including Maryland, and offers a direct pathway for citizens to initiate changes to their state's constitution.
The specific requirements and procedures for proposing amendments through a citizen signature petition can vary from state to state. In some states, such as Illinois and Mississippi, the requirements may be more stringent and less commonly utilized. Maryland has a similar process to Mississippi, which has an initiated constitutional amendment process with a signature distribution requirement based on congressional districts.
To initiate the process in Maryland, citizens must gather a certain number of valid signatures from registered voters in the state. The specific number of required signatures is typically determined by state law and may be a percentage of the voting population or a fixed number. Once the required number of signatures is attained, the proposed amendment can be placed on the ballot for voter consideration.
It's important to note that, even when proposed through a citizen signature petition, amendments to the Maryland Constitution still require ratification by the people of the state. This typically occurs through a referendum held simultaneously with the next general election, ensuring that any changes to the constitution reflect the will of the majority of Maryland voters.
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Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot
The Maryland Constitution, which was ratified on September 18, 1867, has been amended almost 200 times since. The process of amending the constitution is defined in Article XIV of the Maryland Constitution, which outlines two methods: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention.
The legislative process involves proposing amendments through the state legislature, which requires a three-fifths vote in both chambers of the General Assembly. Each amendment must be proposed in a separate bill, embodying the constitutional article or section. Once approved by the legislature, amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. Instead, they are directly presented to the voters for ratification.
In Maryland, amendments must be approved by a simple majority of voters in a referendum held simultaneously with the next general election. This process is known as a "Legislatively Referred Constitutional Amendment." It's important to note that Maryland is one of 49 states that require voter ratification of constitutional amendments, with Delaware being the only exception.
The other method for amending Maryland's constitution is through a state constitutional convention. Every 20 years, starting in 1970, Maryland voters are asked whether they wish to call for such a convention. If a majority of voters are in favour, a convention is convened to draft a new constitution, which again must be approved by a majority of voters. This process allows for more significant revisions to the constitution and ensures that the document remains responsive to the needs and values of Maryland's citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
Amendments to the Maryland Constitution must be proposed in a separate bill, embodying the constitutional article or section. Amendments must first be approved by three-fifths of all the members elected to each of the two houses of the General Assembly, then published in newspapers around the state and approved by a majority of Maryland voters.
Every 20 years, Maryland voters decide whether to call a constitutional convention for the drafting of a new constitution. If such a convention is called, any draft constitution it produces must be approved by a majority of Maryland voters.
Maryland's constitution has been amended almost 200 times, most recently in 2024.
The Maryland Constitution can be amended through a legislative process or a state constitutional convention. A 60% vote is required during one legislative session for the Maryland State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
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