Eleanor Finch
In 2024, Minnesota voters were asked whether they wanted to amend the state constitution to protect drinking water sources and the quality of natural water bodies, conserve wildlife habitats and natural areas, improve air quality, and expand access to parks and trails. The amendment also sought to extend the transfer of proceeds from the state-operated lottery to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). The results of the vote showed that 77% of Minnesotans voted yes in support of the amendment. This amendment was first approved by voters in 1988 and has led to significant funding for various environmental projects. In 2026, Minnesota voters will also decide on the 'Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment', which seeks to guarantee equal rights and freedom from discrimination for all citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2024 |
| Ballot Question | "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to protect drinking water sources and the water quality of lakes, rivers, and streams; conserve wildlife habitat and natural areas; improve air quality; and expand access to parks and trails by extending the transfer of proceeds from the state-operated lottery to the environment and natural resources trust fund, and to dedicate the proceeds for these purposes?" |
| Previous Vote | First approved by voters in 1988 |
| Voter Turnout | 77% of voters voted "yes" |
| Result | Passed |
| Next Vote | Scheduled for 2026 |
| Ballot Question | "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to say that all persons shall be guaranteed equal rights under the laws of this state, and shall not be discriminated against on account of race, color, national or..." |
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What You'll Learn
The Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment
The amendment seeks to create a general equal protection clause, providing rights for all citizens of Minnesota. It would also specify that the amendment would only apply to actions taken by the state and its political subdivisions, excluding non-state entities that receive state funds or participate in state programs. The amendment was passed by the House with a vote of 68-62 and sent to the Senate, where no vote was taken before the session ended.
Supporters of the amendment argue that it would guarantee equal rights and freedom from discrimination for all, rather than a select group chosen by politicians. They see it as an opportunity to enshrine equal rights for all citizens into the state constitution.
Opponents of the bill argue that the language is deceptive and vague, potentially using equal rights as a way to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution. They also claim that the lack of reference to religion or creed could force religious liberties to take a backseat to other rights.
The Minnesota Constitution outlines the process for amending it in Article IX, Section 1. A majority of the members of each house of the legislature must vote to propose amendments, which are then published alongside laws passed in the same session. These proposed amendments are then put before the voters for approval or rejection in a general election. If a majority of voters ratify the amendment, it becomes part of the constitution.
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77% voted yes
In the 2024 Minnesota election, 77% of voters supported a constitutional amendment to allocate state lottery revenues to environmental conservation projects. This amendment will extend a program started in 1988 that directs lottery funds towards the state's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). The ballot question specifically addressed protecting drinking water sources, conserving wildlife habitats, improving air quality, and expanding access to parks and trails. The amendment required a majority of votes to pass, with non-votes counted as "no" votes.
The Minnesota Constitution outlines a specific process for amending its provisions. Firstly, a majority of the members of each house of the legislature must vote to propose amendments. These proposed amendments must be published alongside the laws passed during the same session. The amendments are then presented to the citizens of Minnesota for approval or rejection during a general election. If a majority of voters ratify the amendment, it becomes part of the constitution.
The 2024 Minnesota ballot question sought to renew and extend the existing program that allocates lottery funds to environmental initiatives. The amendment will ensure that at least 40% of state lottery proceeds are directed towards the ENRTF. This decision by Minnesotans reflects a commitment to environmental protection and conservation, with potential benefits for the state's natural resources, wildlife habitats, water sources, air quality, and recreational areas.
The successful passage of the amendment demonstrates the direct influence that voters can have on policy in Minnesota, even though it is not a referendum state. Typically, constitutional amendments must first be passed by the legislature before being placed on the ballot for ratification by voters. The high level of support, with 77% voting in favour, underscores the importance Minnesotans place on environmental initiatives and the use of lottery funds for these purposes.
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The amendment process
Minnesota is not a referendum state, so it doesn't usually put initiatives on the ballot for voters to decide. However, in 2024, a proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution was put to a vote. The amendment sought to continue a decades-old program that allocates funding from the state lottery to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF).
The Minnesota Constitution outlines the amendment process in Article IX, section 1. Firstly, a majority of the members of each house of the legislature must vote to propose amendments. The proposed amendments must be published alongside the laws passed during that session. Then, the proposed amendment is submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at a general election. If a majority of voters ratify the amendment, it becomes part of the constitution.
In the case of the 2024 amendment, it was first approved by voters in 1988, with 77% voting in favour. The 2024 vote was to renew this amendment for another 25 years, with a majority of voters again voting 'yes'.
Looking ahead to 2026, there is a proposed 'Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment' that may appear on the ballot. This amendment would ask voters if the state constitution should be amended to guarantee equal rights under the law, regardless of race, colour, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender, and sexual orientation. This amendment has been passed by the House and sent to the Senate, but it is unclear if it will make it onto the ballot.
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Majority approval needed
In the state of Minnesota, a constitutional amendment must first be passed by the legislature before it can be put to voters for ratification. The Minnesota Constitution outlines the process for amending the constitution in Article IX, Section 1. This requires a majority of the members of each house of the legislature to vote in favour of proposing an amendment. The proposed amendment must then be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection during a general election. For an amendment to be ratified, it requires the approval of a majority of all voters participating in the election.
In the 2024 Minnesota elections, voters were asked whether they supported amending the state constitution to protect drinking water sources and the quality of lakes, rivers, and streams, as well as to conserve wildlife habitats, improve air quality, and expand access to parks and trails. This amendment sought to continue a longstanding program that allocates funding from the Minnesota Lottery to the state's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). The results showed that a majority of voters, approximately 77%, supported the amendment, ensuring the continuation of this program for another 25 years.
Prior to the 2024 vote, the amendment had initially been approved by voters in 1988, resulting in $700 million in funding for 1,700 environmental projects. However, the authorization was set to expire in 2025, necessitating the recent vote for renewal. The 2024 ballot question specifically proposed dedicating no less than 40% of the state lottery proceeds to the ENRTF, extending the funding for environmental projects.
Looking ahead to the 2026 elections, there is a proposed "Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment" that may appear on the ballot. This amendment seeks to guarantee equal rights and freedom from discrimination for all citizens, regardless of race, colour, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender, and sexual orientation. The amendment has been supported by House Majority Leader Lisa Demuth and passed the House with a vote of 68-62. However, it still requires approval from the Senate before it can be put to voters in 2026.
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The 2024 ballot question
In 2024, Minnesota voters will decide on a ballot question to amend the state constitution to protect drinking water sources and the quality of lakes, rivers, and streams. The amendment also seeks to conserve wildlife habitats and natural areas, improve air quality, and expand access to parks and trails. This will be achieved by extending the transfer of proceeds from the state-operated lottery to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF).
The ballot question reads: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to protect drinking water sources and the water quality of lakes, rivers, and streams; conserve wildlife habitat and natural areas; improve air quality; and expand access to parks and trails by extending the transfer of proceeds from the state-operated lottery to the environment and natural resources trust fund, and to dedicate the proceeds for these purposes?"
The amendment would continue a program that has been in place since 1988, allocating funding from the Minnesota Lottery to the ENRTF. The fund provides money for environmental projects across the state. If the amendment is approved, at least 40% of the state lottery proceeds will be dedicated to the ENRTF, extending lottery funding for environmental projects for another 25 years.
For the amendment to pass, it requires a majority of votes. Not voting on the ballot question is counted as a "no" vote. This is a rare opportunity for Minnesotans to directly influence policy, as the state is not a referendum state and typically does not put initiatives on the ballot. Constitutional amendments must first be passed by the legislature before being placed on the ballot for ratification by voters.
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Frequently asked questions
The 2024 Minnesota constitutional amendment vote asked citizens if they wanted to protect drinking water sources, improve water and air quality, conserve wildlife habitats, and expand access to parks and trails.
77% of Minnesotans voted "yes" in support of the amendment.
Not voting on the ballot question counted as a "no" vote, and the proposal required a majority of votes to pass.
