House approves resolution making it harder to change North Dakota Constitution
A voter fills out a ballot at the Hillside Aquatic Complex in Bismarck on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)
A resolution advanced by the North Dakota House on Wednesday seeks to raise the voter-approval threshold for ballot measures that would amend the state constitution.
But even if the state Senate supports the measure, the decision will still be up to voters to decide.
The House voted 65-28 in favor of House Concurrent Resolution 3003, which proposes that ballot measures to amend the state constitution need approval from 60% of voters rather than a simple majority.
More 2025 legislative session coverage
Under the proposal, the higher threshold would apply to citizen-initiated ballot measures, as well as constitutional measures placed on the ballot by lawmakers.
Supporters said North Dakota's constitution is too easy to change, leaving it vulnerable to influence by out-of-state special interest groups.
'I'm afraid, in my opinion, that North Dakota's getting a reputation that it is a state that can be bought,' said Rep. Lawrence Klemin, R-Bismarck.
Rep. Eric Murphy, R-Grand Forks, said he finds it odd that local school building referendums require a higher threshold of voter approval than changes to the state constitution.
House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson, said a 60% approval threshold 'underscores the importance and gravity' of changing the constitution.
Resolution proposes to change constitutional ballot measure vote threshold to 60%
Rep. Lori VanWinkle, R-Minot, said the higher threshold won't deter well-funded campaigns from attempting to influence the constitution, but it will hinder citizen efforts.
'It really is going to stop the grassroots movement from accomplishing anything,' VanWinkle said.
House Minority Leader Zac Ista, D-Grand Forks, urged House members to vote no and trust the voters. He pointed out that if the resolution is on the ballot, it would only need support from a simple majority to pass.
In November, North Dakota voters defeated Measure 2, which contained several changes to the citizen-initiated measure process, including limiting measures to a single subject, requiring that voters approve measures twice and increasing the percentage of signatures required to place a measure on the ballot.
The resolution advances to the Senate for further consideration.
SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
an hour ago
Trump says he 'may' call Walz after Minnesota shootings, calls him 'grossly incompetent'
President Donald Trump told ABC News on Sunday that he "may" call Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz after a political assassination sent shockwaves through the state. The president, who condemned the violence, called the Democratic governor a "terrible governor" and "grossly incompetent" in an interview with ABC News' Rachel Scott. "Well, it's a terrible thing. I think he's a terrible governor. I think he's a grossly incompetent person. But I may, I may call him, I may call other people too," the president told Scott. Minnesota is reeling from two back-to-back shootings. Authorities say a masked gunman disguised as a police officer shot and killed Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, a former speaker of the state House, and her husband Mark, and wounded a state senator and his wife early Saturday. The suspected gunman, 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, fled on foot and remains on the run. Walz called the shootings an "act of targeted political violence." The president condemned the violence shortly after the attack. "Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place," he said. A source close the Walz told ABC News that Walz and Vice President JD Vance spoke regarding the shootings. 'The Governor expressed appreciation for the ongoing coordination between federal law enforcement and Minnesota public safety officials," the person said. Another source familiar with the Minnesota governor told ABC News early Sunday afternoon that Trump has not called Walz. The source said that former President Joe Biden called Walz "right away." The White House said in a statement that the FBI and the attorney general's office will investigate the shootings and "will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law." Police say the suspected gunman allegedly had dozens of Minnesota Democrats on a target list, which was retrieved from the his vehicle. The assassination comes amid growing concerns about political violence in the U.S. following the recent killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, the arson attack at the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and the attempted assassination of Trump last summer.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
GOP lawmakers push bill touting dads for Father's Day — and calling out crisis of 1 and 4 kids growing up without one
Two Republican reps unveiled a resolution in time for Father's Day aimed at drawing attention to the millions of kids growing up without fathers — roughly one in four US children — and underscoring the important roles that dads play in American society. Reps. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Burgess Owens (R-Utah) introduced the resolution in the House earlier this month and urged policymakers to back solutions that encourage fatherhood. 'I'm blessed with six children and 17 grandchildren — they are the heartbeat of everything I do,' Owens, 73, explained about the resolution. 'We know that when fathers are engaged, children thrive, succeed in school, stay out of trouble and build brighter futures. 'This Father's Day, I'm proud to reintroduce this resolution to recognize the power and purpose of fatherhood, and to send a clear message: America is stronger when families are strong, fathers are present, and parents are empowered.' The resolution, HR 487, which hasn't received a vote yet, declares that 'fatherhood is essential to the development of all children.' 3 The GOP reps are hoping the House will adopt the resolution that highlights the importance of fatherhood. Getty Images 3 Rep. Burgess Owens has six children and seventeen grandchildren. Getty Images About 18.4 million children — roughly a quarter of American kids — live without any father in the home — including a biological, step or adoptive dad, according to US Census Bureau data. Roughly 80% of single-parent households are run by single moms, one study from 2022 found. 'A father's impact is truly incalculable,' Donalds, who is running for Florida governor, said in a statement. 'It is fundamental for growth and development throughout a child's life. Fathers are providers, protectors, teachers, mentors, role models, and so much more.' 'Too many children across our country have been robbed of this lasting influence and we must do everything we can to end the tragic cycle of fatherlessness in America. I'm proud to partner with Congressman Owens to express the importance of this timeless institution.' The resolution is also being championed by former Minnesota Vikings and University of Minnesota football player Jack Brewer, whose eponymous foundation has worked to combat the fatherhood crisis in the US. Last week, the Jack Brewer Foundation celebrated the grand opening of its National Fatherhood Center in Washington, DC. 'We should be embarrassed as the most fatherless nation in the world and declare war on this crisis in America,' Brewer said. 3 Jack Brewer's eponymous foundation opened its National Fatherhood Center in Washington, D.C. last week. Bloomberg via Getty Images 'Too many vulnerable children and families have been devastated, and we must address all policies that contribute to dismantling homes, ensuring that both a mother and a father are present to support their children.' The resolution also draws attention to the impact of fatherlessness in minority communities and pushes for solutions such as workforce reentry initiatives for incarcerated parents, mentorship programs, and tax incentives for parents. The measure also hails the First Step Act, opportunity zones and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUS) for helping to address fatherlessness in minority communities. 'Fatherlessness and the lack of important role models in the lives of children today are a root cause of the violence and unrest we are witnessing in our Nation,' the resolution warned.
UPI
an hour ago
- UPI
Sen. Rand Paul 'not an absolute no' on budget bill
Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY, speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on Martin Makary's nomination to be Commissioner of the Food and Drugs Administration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in March. File photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 15 (UPI) -- Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Sunday that he is "not an absolute no" on the Trump administration's House-passed budget reconciliation bill, which threatens cuts to social services and would increase the national spending deficit. "I talked to the president last evening after the parade, and we're trying to get to a better place in our conversations," Paul said on NBC News' Meet the Press Sunday. "And I've let him know that I'm not an absolute no." Paul has been a leading critic of the bill in its current form, along with a handful of other Republicans skeptical of the scope of the cuts. A report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office report that shows that the measure would come at the expense of lower income Americans to benefit higher earners. "I don't have as much trouble with the tax cuts," Paul continued. "I think there should be more spending cuts, but if they want my vote, they'll have to negotiate," specifically citing his opposition to raising the debt ceiling by trillions of dollars. In its current form, the measure would increase the national deficit by $2.4 trillion over 10 years. Lawmakers are trying to pass the bill through a reconciliation process that only requires a simple majority for passage. Paul said last week that tensions have come to the fore between him and his GOP colleagues, and that he was "uninvited" to a White House picnic that is typically attended by lawmakers and their families. He called the move "petty vindictiveness," and said he felt the White House was trying to "punish" him for his opposition to the bill as it stands. President Donald Trump said on his social media platform that "of course" Paul was invited to the picnic. Republicans can only afford to lose three votes pending a tie breaking vote by Vice President JD Vance. The measure currently awaits action in the Senate, where Republicans hold 53 seats. The body has taken a more conservative approach in the negotiations than the House.
