Resolution Raising Constitutional Ballot Measure Threshold to 60% Passes North Dakota Senate

(North Dakota Monitor)

(By: Michael Achterling. North Dakota Monitor) – A bill raising the public vote threshold to 60% to approve constitutional ballot measures in North Dakota passed the state Senate.

House Resolution 3003, sponsored by Rep. Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield, would require a 60% threshold to pass constitutional ballot petitions initiated by the people and constitutional resolutions from the Legislature.

“It’s quite likely that we all agree that it should be possible to change our state’s foundational document, however it should be more difficult than it currently is,” said Sen. Jeff Barta, R-Grand Forks, who voted in favor of the resolution.

Barta said the North Dakota Constitution has been amended 167 times compared to the U.S. Constitution, which has been amended 27 times with stricter rules that include approval from three-quarters of all 50 states.