Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

Types of ballot measures
Initiated
• Initiated constitutional amendment
• Initiated state statute
• Veto referendum
Legislative
• Legislative constitutional amendment
• Legislative state statute
• Legislative bond issue
• Advisory question
Other
• Automatic ballot referral
• Commission-referred measure
• Convention-referred amendment
Select a state from the menu below to learn more about that state's types of ballot measures.
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A legislatively referred constitutional amendment is a legislative referral that amends a state's constitution.

Legislatures are required to seek voter approval to amend their state constitutions in 49 of 50 states. Delaware is the one state where voter approval is not required for state constitutional amendments.

The legislative rules and procedures for changing state constitutions through a referred ballot measure differ from state to state.

Legislatively referred constitutional amendments on the ballot

See also: 2025 ballot measures and 2026 ballot measures

The following is a list of veto referendums certified for the current year and future years:

2026

1. Alabama Allow Judges to Deny Bail for Certain Weapon Discharges and Solicitation, Attempt, or Conspiracy to Commit Murder Amendment (May 2026) - On the ballot
2. Alabama Prohibit Diminishing District Attorney Compensation During Term of Office Amendment (May 2026) - On the ballot
3. Arizona Prohibit Taxes or Fees on Miles Traveled in Motor Vehicle Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
4. Arkansas Authorize Legislature to Create Programs for Economic Development Including Economic Development Districts Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
5. Arkansas Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
6. Arkansas Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
7. California Eliminate State Officer Recall Successor Elections Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
8. California Vote Requirements for Initiatives Requiring Supermajority Votes Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
9. Florida Changes to Budget Stabilization Fund Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
10. Florida Exempt Tangible Personal Property Used for Agriculture or Agritourism from Property Taxes Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
11. Georgia Increase Acre Limit for Agriculture and Timber Conservation Use Property Tax Classification Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
12. Hawaii Increase Time for Senate to Act on Judicial Appointments Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
13. Idaho HJR 4, Grant Legislature Exclusive Authority and Prohibit Citizen-Initiated Measures on Marijuana, Narcotics, and Psychoactive Substances Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
14. Idaho HJR 6, English as Official State Language Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
15. Indiana Residency Requirements for City and Town Court Judges Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
16. Kansas Citizenship Voting Requirement Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
17. Kansas Elections for Supreme Court Justices Amendment (August 2026) - On the ballot
18. Louisiana Allow Parishes to Exempt Business Inventory from Property Taxation Amendment (April 2026) - On the ballot
19. Louisiana Increase Judicial Retirement Age to 75 Years Amendment (April 2026) - On the ballot
20. Louisiana Legislative Authority to Add or Remove Unclassified Civil Service Positions Amendment (April 2026) - On the ballot
21. Louisiana Raise Income Limit to $150,000 for Special Property Tax Assessment Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
22. Louisiana Repeal Certain Education Funds and Dedicate Revenues to Teachers' Retirement System Amendment (April 2026) - On the ballot
23. Louisiana St. George Community School System Authority Amendment (April 2026) - On the ballot
24. Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities Vacancies Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
25. Missouri Prohibit Abortion and Gender Transition Procedures for Minors Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
26. Missouri Require Election of Jackson County Assessor Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
27. Nebraska Change State Legislative Term Limits from Two to Three Consecutive Terms Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
28. New Mexico Eliminate Governor’s Pocket Veto and Require Veto Explanations Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
29. North Carolina Require Voter Identification Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
30. North Dakota 60% Vote Requirement for Constitutional Amendments Measure (2026) - On the ballot
31. North Dakota Single-Subject Requirement for Constitutional Amendments Measure (June 2026) - On the ballot
32. North Dakota State Legislative Term Limits Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
33. South Dakota Constitutional Amendment I, Medicaid Expansion Conditioned on 90% Federal Funding Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
34. South Dakota Constitutional Amendment J, Citizenship Voting Requirement Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
35. South Dakota Constitutional Amendment K, Creation of Unclaimed Property Trust Fund Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
36. South Dakota Constitutional Amendment L, 60% Vote Requirement for Constitutional Amendments Measure (2026) - On the ballot
37. Tennessee Marsy's Law Crime Victims Rights Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
38. Tennessee Prohibit State Property Taxes Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
39. Tennessee Remove Right to Bail for Certain Criminal Offenses Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
40. Utah 60% Vote Requirement for Ballot Initiatives to Increase or Expand Taxes Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
41. Utah Publication Requirements for Constitutional Amendments Measure (2026) - On the ballot
42. Vermont Proposal 3, Right to Collective Bargaining Amendment (2026) - On the ballot

2025

1. California Proposition 50, Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
2. Louisiana Amendment 1, Allow Legislature to Create Trial Courts of Specialized Jurisdiction and Provide Supreme Court Original Jurisdiction to Discipline Out-of-State Lawyers Amendment (March 2025)
3. Louisiana Amendment 2, State Tax and Fiscal Policy Changes Amendment (March 2025)
4. Louisiana Amendment 3, Legislative Authority to Determine Crimes for Trying Juveniles as Adults Amendment (March 2025)
5. Louisiana Amendment 4, Use Earliest Election Dates for Filling Judicial Vacancies Amendment (March 2025)
6. New York Use of Mount Van Hoevenberg Sports Complex Land and Acquisition of 2,500 Acres for Adirondack Park Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
7. Ohio Issue 2, Local Public Infrastructure Bond Amendment (May 2025)
8. Texas Proposition 1, Establish Special Funds for State Technical College System Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
9. Texas Proposition 10, Property Tax Exemption for Improvements to Homestead Destroyed by Fire Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
10. Texas Proposition 11, Increase Homestead Tax Exemption for Elderly and Disabled Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
11. Texas Proposition 12, Change Membership and Authority of State Commission on Judicial Conduct Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
12. Texas Proposition 13, Increase Homestead Property Tax Exemption Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
13. Texas Proposition 14, Establish Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
14. Texas Proposition 15, Parental Rights Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
15. Texas Proposition 16, Citizenship Voting Requirement Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
16. Texas Proposition 17, Property Tax Exemption for Border Security Infrastructure Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
17. Texas Proposition 2, Prohibit Capital Gains Tax on Individuals, Estates, and Trusts Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
18. Texas Proposition 3, Denial of Bail for Certain Violent or Sexual Offenses Punishable as a Felony Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
19. Texas Proposition 4, Allocate Portion of Sales Tax Revenue to Water Fund Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
20. Texas Proposition 5, Property Tax Exemption on Retail Animal Feed Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
21. Texas Proposition 6, Prohibit Taxes on Certain Securities Transactions Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
22. Texas Proposition 7, Establish Homestead Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Veterans Killed by a Service-Connected Disease Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
23. Texas Proposition 8, Prohibit Estate Taxes and New Taxes on Estate Transfers, Inheritances, and Gifts Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
24. Texas Proposition 9, Authorize $125,000 Tax Exemption for Tangible Property Used for Income Production Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
25. Washington SJR 8201, Allow Investment of Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Fund in Stocks and Other Equities Amendment (2025) - On the ballot
26. Wisconsin Question 1, Require Voter Photo ID Amendment (April 2025)

States that provide for legislatively referred constitutional amendments

The following map illustrates which states provide for legislatively referred constitutional amendments:

Procedures for legislative constitutional amendments

See also: Amending state constitutions

In 49 of 50 states, voter approval is required to amend a state constitution. States have different rules and procedures for how legislatures can place constitutional amendments on the ballot. There are three main differences:

• the number of legislative sessions that a legislature must vote on a constitutional amendment;

• the size of the affirmative vote in each legislative chamber, such as 50.01%, 60.00%, or 66.67%; and

• the size of the vote required from electors.

The following table describes these three rules and procedures in each of the 50 states:

Requirements for legislative constitutional amendments
State	Constitutional provision	Number of legislative session	Size of legislative vote	Size of election vote
Alabama	Article XVIII of Alabama Constitution	1 session	60.00%	Simple majority
Alaska	Article XIII of Alaska Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority
Arizona	Article XXI of Arizona Constitution	1 session	50.01%	Simple majority
Arkansas	Article XIX, Section 22 of Arkansas Constitution	1 session	50.01%	Simple majority
California	Article XVIII of California Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority
Colorado	Article XIX of Colorado Constitution	1 session	66.67%	55.00%
Connecticut	Article XII of Connecticut Constitution	1 session (with 75.00% vote) 2 sessions (with 50.01% vote)	75.00% (1 session) 50.01% (2 sessions)	Simple majority
Delaware	Article XVI of Delaware Constitution	2 sessions	66.67%	None
Florida	Article XI of Florida Constitution	1 session	60.00%	60.00%
Georgia	Article X of Georgia Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority
Hawaii	Article XVII of Hawaii Constitution	1 session (with 66.67% vote) 2 sessions (with 50.01% vote)	66.67% (1 session) 50.01% (2 sessions)	Simple majority of total ballots cast in the election, rather than ballots cast on the measure
Idaho	Article XX of Idaho Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority
Illinois	Article XIV of Illinois Constitution	1 session	60.00%	60% of ballots cast on the measure or a simple majority of total ballots cast in the election
Indiana	Article XVI of Indiana Constitution	2 sessions	50.01%	Simple majority
Iowa	Article X of Iowa Constitution	2 sessions	50.01%	Simple majority
Kansas	Article XIV of Kansas Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority
Kentucky	Section 256 of Kentucky Constitution	1 session	60.00%	Simple majority
Louisiana	Article XIII of Louisiana Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority
Maine	Article X of Maine Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority
Maryland	Article XIV of Maryland Constitution	1 session	60.00%	Simple majority
Massachusetts	Article XLVIII of Massachusetts Constitution	2 sessions	50.01%	Simple majority of ballots cast on the measure and at least 30% of total ballots cast in the election
Michigan	Article XII of Michigan Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority
Minnesota	Article IX of Minnesota Constitution	1 session	50.01%	Simple majority of total ballots cast in the election, rather than ballots cast on the measure
Mississippi	Article XV of Mississippi Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority of ballots cast on the measure and at least 40% of total ballots cast in the election
Missouri	Article XII of Missouri Constitution	1 session	50.01%	Simple majority
Montana	Article XIV of Montana Constitution	1 session	66.67% between both chambers	Simple majority
Nebraska	Article XVI of Nebraska Constitution	1 session	60.00%	Simple majority
Nevada	Article XVI, Section 1 of Nevada Constitution	2 sessions	50.01%	Simple majority of ballots cast on the measure and at least 35% of total ballots cast in the election
New Hampshire	Article 100 of New Hampshire Constitution	1 session	60.00%	66.67%
New Jersey	Article IX of New Jersey Constitution	1 session (with 60.00% vote) 2 sessions (with 50.01% vote)	60.00% (1 session) 50.01% (2 sessions)	Simple majority
New Mexico	Article XIX of New Mexico Constitution	1 session	50.01%	Simple majority
New York	Article XIX of New York Constitution	2 sessions	50.01%	Simple majority
North Carolina	Article XIII of North Carolina Constitution	1 session	60.00%	Simple majority
North Dakota	Article IV, Section 16 of North Dakota Constitution	1 session	50.01%	Simple majority
Ohio	Article XVI of Ohio Constitution	1 session	60.00%	Simple majority
Oklahoma	Article XXIV, Section 1 of Oklahoma Constitution	1 session	50.01%	Simple majority
Oregon	Article XVII of Oregon Constitution	1 session	50.01%	Simple majority
Pennsylvania	Article XI of Pennsylvania Constitution	1 session (with 66.67% vote) 2 sessions (with 50.01% vote)	66.67% (1 session) 50.01% (2 sessions)	Simple majority
Rhode Island	Article XIV of Rhode Island Constitution	1 session	50.01%	Simple majority
South Carolina	Article XVI of South Carolina Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority
South Dakota	Article XXIII of South Dakota Constitution	1 session	50.01%	Simple majority
Tennessee	Article XI, Section 3 of Tennessee Constitution	2 sessions	50.01% (first session) 66.67% (second session)	Simple majority of ballots cast on the measure and a simple majority of ballots cast in the governor's election
Texas	Article XVII of Texas Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority
Utah	Article XXIII of Utah Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority
Vermont	Section 72 of Vermont Constitution	2 sessions	66.67% in Senate and 50.01% in House during first session 50.01% in both chambers during second session	Simple majority
Virginia	Article XII of Virginia Constitution	2 sessions	50.01%	Simple majority
Washington	Article XXIII of Washington Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority
West Virginia	Article XIV of West Virginia Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority
Wisconsin	Article XII of Wisconsin Constitution	2 sessions	50.01%	Simple majority
Wyoming	Article XX of Wyoming Constitution	1 session	66.67%	Simple majority of total ballots cast in the election, rather than ballots cast on the measure

Other rules and procedures regarding legislative constitutional amendments

Return to legislature after voter approval

In 48 of 49 states that require voter approval of constitutional amendments, voter approval is the final step leading to ratification. In South Carolina, when voters approve a constitutional amendment, the amendment returns to the state Legislature, which must approve the constitutional amendment for a second time.

Amendments regarding local jurisdictions

Some state constitutions contain provisions that affect specific jurisdictions and not the state as a whole. In Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, there are specific requirements regarding voter approval.

• In Alabama, a local constitutional amendment requires statewide approval and local approval unless the legislative vote is unanimous, in which case the local constitutional amendment requires local approval and not statewide approval.

• In Louisiana, a constitutional amendment affecting five or fewer parishes, or five or fewer municipalities, requires statewide approval and approval in those specific jurisdictions.

• In Maryland, a constitutional amendment affecting a specific jurisdiction must be approved statewide and in the specific jurisdiction.

Cap on number of legislative constitutional amendments

In Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, and Kentucky, legislatures cannot refer more than a certain number of constitutional amendments to the ballot.

• In Arkansas, the General Assembly can refer no more than three constitutional amendments to an election ballot.

• In Illinois, the General Assembly can propose to amend no more than three articles of the state constitution at a single election.

• In Kansas, the Legislature can refer no more than five constitutional amendments to an election ballot.

• In Kentucky, the Legislature can refer no more than four constitutional amendments to an election ballot.

Other state-specific provisions

Colorado

In Colorado, the General Assembly can propose amendments to no more than six of the state constitution's articles.

Georgia

In Georgia, the General Assembly can remove a proposed constitutional amendment from the ballot with a two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers and at least two months before the election would have occurred.

Illinois

In Illinois, the General Assembly is not allowed to propose constitutional amendments when a state constitutional convention has been called through the time that an election is held on proposed amendments from the convention.

New Jersey

In New Jersey, when voters reject a proposed constitutional amendment, the same amendment or a similar amendment cannot be referred to voters until the third general election thereafter.

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, when voters reject a proposed constitutional amendment, the same amendment cannot be referred to voters for at least five years.

Types of ballot measures

See also: Ballot measure

Most ballot measures are placed on the ballot through citizen initiatives or legislative processes. Others are placed on the ballot automatically, by a special commission, or by a state constitutional convention. The following is a list of different types of state ballot measures:

Types of state ballot measures

Citizen-initiated ballot measure

• Initiated constitutional amendment

• Direct initiated constitutional amendment

• Indirect initiated constitutional amendment

• Initiated state statute

• Direct initiated state statute

• Indirect initiated state statute

• Combined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute

• Veto referendum

• Statute affirmation (Nevada)

Legislatively referred ballot measure

• Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

• Legislatively referred state statute

• Legislatively referred bond measure

• Advisory question

Other type of state ballot measure

• Automatic ballot referral

• Constitutional convention question

• Commission-referred ballot measure

• Convention-referred constitutional amendment

• Political party advisory question

See also

• Forms of direct democracy in the American states
• Amending state constitutions
• Constitutional amendment
• Types of ballot measures
• Types of citizen-initiated ballot measures
• Initiated constitutional amendment
• List of ballot measures by state