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Florida Amendment 4, Extra Sessions of the Legislature Amendment (1956)
| Florida Amendment 4 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic State legislative processes and sessions |
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| Status |
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| Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Florida Amendment 4 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Florida on November 6, 1956. It was approved.
A “yes” vote supported establishing the procedure for calling an extra session of the state legislature. |
A “no” vote opposed establishing the procedure for calling an extra session of the state legislature. |
Election results
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Florida Amendment 4 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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292,772 | 68.77% | ||
| No | 132,945 | 31.23% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Amendment 4 was as follows:
| “ | No. 4 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE III, SECTION 2 A proposed Amendment to Article III, Section 2 by adding to said Section a provision for the convening of the Legislature into extra session by an initial petition of 20% of the members followed by the affirmative vote of 3/5ths of the members of both Houses, providing that the Secretary of State shall fix the date and hour for the convening of such extra session and that such extra session shall be limited to a period of 30 days. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Constitutional changes
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Section 2. Regular and Extra Sessions. The regular sessions of the legislature shall be held biennially, commencing on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in April, 1887, and on the corresponding day of every second year thereafter, but the governor may convene the same in extra session by his proclamation. Regular sessions of the legislature may extend to sixty (60) days, but no special session convened by the governor shall exceed twenty (20) days. The regular sixty (60) day biennial session of the legislature may, by a three-fifths vote of the membership of both houses, be extended not exceeding a total of thirty (30) days which need not be consecutive. Recesses in such extended session shall be taken only by joint action of both houses. No extended session may last beyond September 1st following the regular biennial session. During such extended session, no additional proposed legislation shall be introduced unless consent is first obtained by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of the House into which it is sought to be introduced. Provided, that the legislature may also be convened in extra session in the following manner: When twenty per cent (20%) of the members of the legislature shall execute in writing and file with the secretary of state their certificates that conditions warrant the convening of the legislature into extra session, the secretary of state shall, within seven (7) days after receiving the requisite number of such certificates, poll the members of the legislature, and upon the affirmative vote of three-fifths (3/5) of the members of both houses, shall forthwith fix the day and hour for convening of such extra session. Notice thereof shall be given each member by registered mail within seven (7) days after receiving the requisite number of said certificates. The time for convening of said session shall be not less than fourteen (14) days nor more than twenty-one (21) days from the date of mailing said notices. In pursuance of said certificates, affirmative vote of the membership and notice, the legislature shall convene in extra session for all purposes as if convened in regular session; provided, however, that any such extra session shall be limited to a period of thirty (30) days. Should the secretary of state fail to receive the requisite number of said certificates requesting the convening of an extra session of the legislature within a period of sixty (60) days after receipt of the first of said certificates, all certificates previously filed shall be rendered null and void and no extra session shall be called and said certificates shall not be used at any future time for the convening of the legislature. |
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Florida Constitution
A 60% vote was required during one legislative session for the Florida State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounted to a minimum of 51 votes in the Florida House of Representatives and 18 votes in the Florida State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments did not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. Amendments on the ballot required a simple majority vote in this year.
See also
External links
- Florida Constitution Revision Commission, "Florida's Constitutions: The Documentary History"
- St. Petersburg Times, "SAMPLE BALLOT GENERAL ELECTION," November 6, 1956
Footnotes
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State of Florida Tallahassee (capital) |
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