Jonah Patel
The Nevada Constitution is the highest law within the state of Nevada and defines the structure, power, and limits of the state government, as well as the basic rights and responsibilities of Nevada citizens. The Nevada Constitution can be amended via three paths: a constitutional convention, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, or an initiated constitutional amendment. A legislatively-referred constitutional amendment requires a simple majority vote during two successive legislative sessions for the Nevada State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. An initiated constitutional amendment, on the other hand, is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. In Nevada, citizen-initiated amendments must be approved by a majority of voters in two consecutive elections.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of amendments | Over 112 |
| Number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment | 10% of the total number of votes cast in the preceding general election |
| Voter approval | A simple majority vote in two consecutive elections |
| Legislative approval | A simple majority vote in two consecutive legislative sessions |
| Legislative approval in the Nevada State Assembly | 22 votes |
| Legislative approval in the Nevada State Senate | 11 votes |
| Approval by voters in two consecutive elections | Required for citizen-initiated amendments |
| Approval by Congress | Required for some amendments |
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What You'll Learn
Nevada's constitution can be amended via three paths
The Nevada Constitution, the highest law within the state, can be amended via three paths: a constitutional convention, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, or an initiated constitutional amendment.
A legislatively referred constitutional amendment is a proposal that has been passed by a simple majority vote in two successive legislative sessions of the Nevada State Legislature. This amounts to a minimum of 22 votes in the Nevada State Assembly and 11 votes in the Nevada State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Once passed, the amendment is sent to the people for a vote. If a majority of registered votes pass the amendment, the constitution is amended.
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. In Nevada, supporters of an amendment must meet signature requirements for it to be placed on the ballot. The number of signatures required is equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast in the preceding general election. Once on the ballot, the amendment must be approved by a majority of voters in two consecutive elections.
A constitutional convention is a gathering of elected delegates who submit proposed amendments to voters for approval. According to Section 2 of Article 16 of the Nevada Constitution, a two-thirds vote of the Nevada State Legislature is required to refer a constitutional convention question to the people.
The Nevada Constitution has been amended over 112 times. The process for amending the constitution is much more accessible than amending the U.S. Constitution, which has only been amended 27 times.
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A simple majority vote in two consecutive elections is required
In the state of Nevada, a simple majority vote in two consecutive elections is required to ratify an amendment to the constitution. This process applies to both citizen-initiated and legislature-referred amendments, with the latter requiring a minimum of 22 votes in the Nevada State Assembly and 11 votes in the Nevada State Senate to place the amendment on the ballot.
The Nevada Constitution is the highest law within the state and defines the structure, power, and limits of the state government, as well as the basic rights and responsibilities of Nevada citizens. It is subordinate to the Constitution of the United States, requiring Nevada to be a republic consisting of a bicameral legislature, the Supreme Court of Nevada, and the office of the Governor of Nevada.
To amend the Nevada Constitution, citizen-initiated petitions must gather a number of signatures equal to 10% of the total votes cast in the preceding general election. Once qualified for the ballot, these amendments must then be approved by a majority of voters in two successive elections. This process ensures that any changes to the state's foundational document reflect the will of the people and are not just a transient sentiment.
The Nevada Constitution has a long history of amendments, with the second amendment being proposed and passed by the legislature in 1941, agreed to and passed again in 1943, and finally ratified by the people at the 1944 general election. More recently, in 2022, an equal rights amendment inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression was approved by 58% of Nevada voters, demonstrating the state's commitment to protecting the rights of its citizens.
By requiring a simple majority vote in two consecutive elections, Nevada ensures that any changes to its constitution are supported by a broad segment of the electorate and are not just temporary fluctuations in public opinion. This process helps maintain stability and continuity in the state's foundational laws while still allowing for necessary changes to reflect the evolving needs and values of its citizens.
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Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
The Nevada Constitution, the highest law within the state, has been amended over 112 times. It defines the structure, power, and limits of the state government and enumerates the basic rights and responsibilities of Nevada citizens.
Once an amendment is on the ballot, it must be approved by a majority of voters. In Nevada, citizen-initiated amendments face an additional requirement: they must be approved by a majority of voters in two consecutive elections.
> The second amendment was proposed and passed by the 1993 Legislature; agreed to and passed by the 1995 Legislature; and approved and ratified by the voters at the 1996 General Election, effective on the date Congress consents to the amendment or a legal determination is made that such consent is not necessary.
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Citizen-initiated constitutional amendments
The Constitution of the State of Nevada is the highest law within the state and defines the structure, power, and limits of the state government. It also enumerates the basic rights and responsibilities of Nevada citizens. Citizen-initiated constitutional amendments, also known as initiated constitutional amendments, are a process by which citizens can directly propose and enact changes to the state's constitution. This process empowers citizens to bypass the legislature and propose amendments that reflect their values and interests. Nevada is one of the eighteen states that allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
The process for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments in Nevada involves several steps. Firstly, supporters of the amendment must meet specific signature requirements. The number of signatures required is equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast in the preceding general election. This ensures that there is sufficient support for the proposed amendment among the citizens of Nevada. Once the signature requirement is met, the amendment is placed on the ballot without any legislative interference, except in Massachusetts, where citizen-initiated amendments must secure support from one-fourth of the legislature in two consecutive sessions.
After an amendment is qualified for the ballot, it must be ratified by the voters. Nevada has an additional requirement for citizen-initiated amendments, which must be approved by a majority of voters in two consecutive general elections. This process is designed to ensure that any changes made to the state's constitution reflect the will of the people and have enduring support. This dual approval process distinguishes Nevada from most other states, where a simple majority of voters in a single election is sufficient for ratification.
Nevada's constitution has been amended over 112 times, with the most recent amendments being approved by voters on November 5, 2024. Some notable examples of citizen-initiated constitutional amendments in Nevada include the approval of an equal rights amendment inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression in 2022, making Nevada the only US state with such comprehensive protection in its foundational document. Additionally, in 2008, voters approved Article 1, Section 22, which limits the state's power to use eminent domain, and Article 2, Section 10, which sets a $5,000 limit on contributions to initiative, referendum, primary, or general elections.
The process of citizen-initiated constitutional amendments in Nevada exemplifies the state's commitment to democratic principles and the active participation of its citizens in shaping the laws that govern them. By allowing citizens to propose and ratify amendments, Nevada ensures that its constitution remains responsive to the needs and values of its people. This process also highlights the significant role that citizens can play in driving legal change at the state level.
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Amendments do not require the governor's signature
The process of amending the Nevada Constitution is relatively straightforward and does not require the governor's signature. The Nevada Constitution, which defines the structure, powers, and limits of the state government and outlines the basic rights and responsibilities of Nevada citizens, has been amended over 112 times. This makes it much easier to modify than the US Constitution, which has only been amended 27 times.
There are three paths to amend the Nevada Constitution: a constitutional convention, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, or an initiated constitutional amendment. For a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, a simple majority vote is required in two consecutive legislative sessions for the amendment to be placed on the ballot. This amounts to a minimum of 22 votes in the Nevada State Assembly and 11 votes in the Nevada State Senate. However, amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
An initiated constitutional amendment, on the other hand, is a citizen-initiated ballot measure. In Nevada, this requires the signatures of 10% of the total number of votes cast in the preceding general election. Once the signature requirements are met, the amendment is placed on the ballot without the need for legislative approval. Nevada is unique in this regard, as most other states require at least some level of legislative support for citizen-initiated amendments.
Regardless of the path taken, the proposed amendment must pass with a majority of registered votes for the constitution to be amended. This can be done through a simple majority vote in two consecutive elections, as is the case for citizen-initiated amendments in Nevada, or in a single election, as some other states allow. This process ensures that any changes to the Nevada Constitution reflect the will of the people and are properly ratified by the voters.
The Nevada Constitution has a long history of amendments, with the first amendment being proposed and passed by the 1885 Legislature and ratified by the people in 1889. Amendments have addressed a range of issues, including suffrage, taxation, marriage equality, and the powers of the state government. The most recent amendments, approved by voters in 2024, demonstrate the ongoing evolution of Nevada's governing document to meet the needs and values of its citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
A majority of all members of both houses must pass the proposed amendment. The proposed amendment must then pass the next consecutive biennial session. If it passes, the proposed amendment is sent to the people for a vote. If the majority of the registered votes pass the amendment, the constitution is amended/changed.
The current Nevada Constitution has been amended over 112 times.
Nevada's constitution can be amended via three different paths: a constitutional convention, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, or an initiated constitutional amendment.
A simple majority vote is required during two successive legislative sessions for the Nevada State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. In Nevada, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast in the preceding general election. A simple majority vote in two consecutive elections is required for voter approval.
