Omar Bennett
The Arizona Constitution has been amended 161 times since its adoption in 1912. This is due to the fact that the state constitution is a document that is highly responsive to the wishes of its local citizens, who have the power to initiate constitutional amendments. Amendments can also be made through a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Some notable amendments to the Arizona Constitution include the explicit right to abortion, the creation of the office of State Mine Inspector, and the regulation of child labor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times the constitution has been amended | 161 |
| Date of last amendment | November 5, 2024 |
| Date of first adoption | February 14, 1912 |
| Number of methods to amend the constitution | 3 |
| Minimum vote required to pass amendments | Simple majority |
| Minimum vote required to pass ballot measures to approve taxes | 60% |
| Minimum number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment | 15% of votes cast for governor in the most recent gubernatorial election |
| Time allowed for circulating petitions | 24 months |
| Time by which signatures must be submitted before the election | 4 months |
| Number of articles | 30 |
| Number of repealed articles | 2 |
| Number of articles no longer in force | 1 |
| Number of duplicated sections | 2 |
| Number of sections | 187 |
| Number of sections with subsections | 1 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Arizona's constitution is amended to be responsive to the wishes of local citizens
- The state legislature can call for a convention if approved by a statewide vote
- Amendments can be citizen-initiated, legislative, or via a state constitutional convention
- Amendments require a simple majority, but ballot measures for taxes need 60%
- The constitution has been amended to include an explicit right to abortion
Arizona's constitution is amended to be responsive to the wishes of local citizens
The Arizona Constitution has been amended 161 times since its adoption in 1912, making it one of the most frequently amended state constitutions in the United States. This is partly because the framers of the Arizona Constitution intended to create a document that would be responsive to the wishes of local citizens.
Arizona's constitution provides for three methods of amending the document: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. The citizen-initiated process, allowed in 18 states, empowers citizens to propose constitutional amendments directly. In Arizona, this requires gathering signatures from at least 15% of voters who cast a ballot in the most recent gubernatorial election. This relatively low threshold reflects the state's commitment to giving citizens a direct say in shaping their constitution.
The legislative process, on the other hand, involves the state legislature proposing amendments. Any amendments, revisions, or proposals to the constitution must be approved by a simple majority of voters in a statewide election. This ensures that any changes to the constitution are broadly supported by the people of Arizona.
Arizona's constitution has been amended to address a wide range of issues. For example, amendments have been made to Article 2, the state's equivalent of the Bill of Rights, to include an explicit right to abortion. Other amendments have addressed term limits for various elective offices, the regulation of ambulances, and the official language of the state.
The responsiveness of Arizona's constitution to local citizens is further reflected in the ability of voters to pass multiple amendments modifying the same section in a single election. This has resulted in instances of duplicated text, which are typically harmonized by the courts. Overall, the frequent amendments to Arizona's constitution demonstrate the state's commitment to ensuring that its governing document remains adaptable and reflective of the will of its citizens.
Missouri's Constitutional Amendments: When Do They Get a Vote?
You may want to see also
The state legislature can call for a convention if approved by a statewide vote
The Arizona Constitution is the governing document and framework for the State of Arizona. The current constitution is the first and only adopted by the state. It is divided into a preamble and 30 articles, with Articles 23 and 24 having been repealed.
The Arizona Constitution provides for three methods of amending the document: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. The state legislature can call for a convention if approved by a statewide vote. This is outlined in Section 2 of Article XXI of the Arizona Constitution. Any amendments, revisions, or proposals of the Constitution require a simple majority vote by the electorate.
Arizona's constitution has been amended far more frequently than the federal Constitution. This is because the framers of the state constitution created a document that would be especially responsive to the wishes of the local citizenry. The state legislature can propose amendments, and citizens also have the power to initiate constitutional amendments. An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments. In Arizona, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 15% of the votes cast for governor in the most recent gubernatorial election. Petitions can be circulated for up to 24 months and must be submitted four months before the election.
Since Arizona became a state in 1912, the constitution has been amended 161 times. For example, Article 2 was amended in 2024 to contain an explicit right to abortion. Article 29 deals with public retirement systems, and Article 30 previously restricted marriage to a man and a woman, but this was ruled illegal. Proposition 107, approved in 1992, created term limits for various elective offices. The constitution has also been amended to include an explicit right to religious freedom, ban polygamy, and ban the sale, travel, or ownership of alcoholic beverages.
Uzbekistan's Constitution: Who Benefits the Most?
You may want to see also
Amendments can be citizen-initiated, legislative, or via a state constitutional convention
The Arizona Constitution has been amended 161 times, with the most recent amendment approved on November 5, 2024. The high number of amendments is partly due to the fact that the Arizona Constitution has been designed to be responsive to the wishes of the local citizenry. Amendments can be citizen-initiated, legislative, or via a state constitutional convention, as outlined in Article 21 of the Arizona Constitution.
Citizen-Initiated Amendments
In Arizona, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments through a ballot measure. This process requires gathering a number of signatures equal to 15% of the votes cast for the governor in the most recent gubernatorial election. Petitions can be circulated for up to 24 months, and signatures must be submitted four months before the election.
Legislative Amendments
The Arizona state legislature can also propose constitutional amendments. According to Article IV, Part 1, Section 1, Subsection vi, any amendments, revisions, or proposals of the Constitution require a simple majority vote by the electorate. However, the governor or legislature cannot amend or repeal initiative or referendum measures approved by a majority vote.
State Constitutional Convention
A state constitutional convention can be called by the state legislature, but only if it is approved by the electorate in a statewide vote, as outlined in Section 2 of Article XXI. The original Arizona Constitution was drafted at such a convention in 1910 and later amended to address objections raised by President William H. Taft before being approved.
Through these three methods, the Arizona Constitution has been amended numerous times to address a range of issues, including the right to abortion, term limits for offices, healthcare mandates, and the official language.
Due Process: Constitutional Amendments Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Amendments require a simple majority, but ballot measures for taxes need 60%
The Arizona Constitution has been amended numerous times since its adoption in 1912, with voters approving a new amendment as recently as November 5, 2024. This frequency of amendment is due in part to the document's responsiveness to the wishes of local citizens.
Amending the Arizona Constitution can be achieved through three methods: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Notably, amendments only require a simple majority to pass. This accessibility stands in contrast to the requirements for passing ballot measures related to taxes, which need a 60% vote.
The citizen-initiated process empowers Arizonans to directly propose constitutional amendments. This method requires gathering signatures equivalent to 15% of the votes cast for governor in the latest gubernatorial election. Petitions can be circulated for up to 24 months, and signatures must be submitted four months before the election where the proposed amendment will appear.
The legislative process, on the other hand, involves the state legislature. According to Article XXI, Section 2, the legislature can call for a constitutional convention only if approved by a statewide vote. Any amendments or revisions proposed by the legislature require a simple majority vote by the electorate.
While amendments generally require a simple majority, certain topics addressed in the Arizona Constitution have unique requirements for modification. For instance, Article 11, which regulates child labour and defines a workday as eight hours, can only be repealed with congressional approval. Similarly, Article 9, which deals with the official language, has been amended to include a provision that English be spoken, read, and written by state officials.
The distinction between a simple majority for amendments and the higher threshold for tax-related ballot measures highlights the relative ease of altering Arizona's governing document. This flexibility allows the state constitution to adapt to the evolving needs and preferences of its citizens.
Texas Constitution Amendments: Who's in Charge?
You may want to see also
The constitution has been amended to include an explicit right to abortion
The Arizona Constitution has been amended 161 times, with the most recent amendment approved by voters on November 5, 2024. This is because the state constitution is a document that outlines the state's framework for governance, including individual and civil rights, and other matters. As such, it must be responsive to the wishes of the local citizenry.
One of the most recent amendments to the Arizona Constitution is Proposition 139, also known as the Arizona for Abortion Access Act. This amendment establishes a fundamental right to abortion and was approved by voters on November 5, 2024, taking effect on November 25, 2024. The amendment protects people's right to decide for themselves whether to end a pregnancy and provides a path to challenge Arizona's 15-week abortion ban.
The Arizona Constitution now explicitly guarantees abortion access before fetal viability and after fetal viability if necessary to preserve the life or physical or mental health of the mother, based on the good-faith judgment of a treating health care professional. The constitution defines "fetal viability" as "the point in pregnancy when there is a significant likelihood of the fetus's sustained survival outside the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures."
The amendment also prevents the government from penalizing any person or group who helps a pregnant person access lawful abortion care. This includes the right to abortion medication and protects people who assist others in exercising their right to abortion, such as relatives or doctors.
The inclusion of an explicit right to abortion in the Arizona Constitution is a significant development, as the state has a long list of restrictions on abortion, and the future of abortion access in the state was uncertain following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. The amendment ensures that Arizona residents have a constitutional right to abortion care and provides a strong foundation for challenging existing abortion restrictions in the state.
Amending the Constitution: What's the Subject?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Arizona Constitution has been amended 161 times because it was designed to be responsive to the wishes of the local citizenry.
The Arizona Constitution provides for three methods of amending the document: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.
Notable amendments to the Arizona Constitution include the explicit right to abortion, the creation of term limits for various elective offices, and the restoration of the ability to recall judges.
Amendments to the Arizona Constitution have occurred frequently since its adoption in 1912. Between 1912 and 2013, the constitution was amended 151 times, with 10 additional amendments approved between 2013 and 2024.
Other examples of amendments to the Arizona Constitution include the prohibition and subsequent legalisation of alcoholic beverages, the regulation of child labour, and the establishment of English as the official language.
