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Committee advances measure requiring majority of registered voters for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments; opponents warn it would block ballot access
Summary
Senate Bill 434 would raise the approval threshold for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments to a majority of all registered eligible voters, not merely a majority of votes cast, Sen. Dawson said; the committee passed the bill after lengthy public opposition.
Sen. Dawson told the Senate State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee that Senate Bill 434 would require a constitutional amendment proposed by citizen initiative to win a majority of all registered eligible voters in order to pass, rather than a majority of those casting ballots. "If we're going to amend the initiated constitutional amendment process, it has to have buy-in from a majority of the electorate," Dawson said, and described the proposal as a way to ensure broad-based support for changes to the state constitution.
The sponsor and several committee members debated the measure's legal and practical effects. Dawson cited an…
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