This week's question was, How many states require that a simple majority of voters approve constitutional amendments?

You answered: 13
The correct answer was 38.

Of the 49 states that require voter approval of constitutional amendments, 38 states require a simple majority vote, while 11 states require a supermajority vote or other criteria that must be met for ratification. Delaware does not require voter approval for constitutional amendments.

55 percent supermajority

• Colorado. For a referred or initiated amendment to win in Colorado, it must win a supermajority vote of 55 percent of those voting on the question, according to Section 1 of Article V and Section 2 of Article XIX of the Colorado Constitution. This change was made via Amendment 71 in 2016.

60 supermajority

• Illinois. For a constitutional amendment to win in Illinois, it must win a supermajority vote of 60 percent of those voting on the question or a majority of those who cast a ballot for any office in that election.

• Florida. For a constitutional amendment to win in Florida, it must win a supermajority vote of 60 percent of those voting on the question, according to Section 5 of Article XI. This change was made via Amendment 3 in 2006.

2/3rds supermajority

• New Hampshire: A proposed amendment must be approved by 2/3rds of those voting in order to become part of the state's constitution.

Other requirements

• In Hawaii, a proposed amendment is considered to be approved if:

• It is approved by a majority of all the votes tallied upon the question if this majority constitutes at least 50% of the total vote cast at the election, or,
• If approved at a special election by a majority of all the votes tallied upon the question, if this majority consists of at least 30% of the total number of registered voters in the state at that time.

• Illinois. For a constitutional amendment to win in Illinois, it must win a supermajority vote of 60% of those voting on the question or a majority of those who cast a ballot for any office in that election.

• Minnesota. Proposed constitutional amendments in Minnesota require majority approval from all voters casting a ballot in the election. In other words, leaving a constitutional amendment question blank on the ballot is equivalent to voting "no" in Minnesota.

• Tennessee. A proposed amendment in Tennessee must earn a majority of those voting on the amendment, and "a majority of all the citizens of the state voting for governor."

• In Massachusetts, a proposed amendment can be passed by majority vote, provided that the total number of votes cast on the amendment equals at least 30% of the total votes cast in the election.

• In Mississippi, an amendment is considered approved if it receives a majority vote, provided that the total number of votes cast on the initiative equals at least 40% of the total votes cast in the election.

• In Nebraska, a proposed amendment becomes part of the Nebraska Constitution if it wins a majority vote and it wins the votes of at least 35% of those voting in the election for any office.

• In Wyoming, a proposed amendment must be approved by a majority of all voters casting ballots at the election.

Note: In Utah, constitutional amendments put on the ballot by a constitutional convention require a majority vote of all voters at the election, but amendments referred to the ballot by the legislature require a majority vote of all voters on the measure.

Click here to read more about legislatively referred constitutional amendments. Click here to read more about supermajority requirements.

Thanks for your response!