Maryland Question 9, Making References to God in Public Institutions and Places Amendment (1970)
| Maryland Question 9 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Religion in public schools and Religion-related policy |
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| Status |
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| Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Maryland Question 9 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Maryland on November 3, 1970. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported this constitutional amendment to provide that “nothing shall prohibit or require the making reference to belief in, reliance upon, or invoking the aid of God or a Supreme Being” in public institutions and places, including schools. |
A "no" vote opposed this constitutional amendment to provide that “nothing shall prohibit or require the making reference to belief in, reliance upon, or invoking the aid of God or a Supreme Being” in public institutions and places, including schools. |
Election results
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Maryland Question 9 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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409,050 | 72.82% | ||
| No | 152,706 | 27.18% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Question 9 was as follows:
| “ | An ACT to propose an amendment to Article 36 of the Constitution of Maryland, title “Declaration of Rights”, providing for religious freedom and permitting religious readings or prayer and reference to a Supreme Being in certain instances, if participation therein is on a voluntary basis, in any governmental or public school, institution or place. | ” |
Background
From 1926 to 2024, voters decided on at least nine ballot measures related to religion in public schools in nine states: California (1926), North Dakota (1948), Maryland (1970), Florida (1972), Massachusetts (1972), Wisconsin (1972), West Virginia (1984), Missouri (2012), and Alabama (2018).
The following map illustrates where voters have decided on ballot measures related to religion in public schools:
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Maryland Constitution
A 60% vote is required during one legislative session for the Maryland State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 85 votes in the Maryland House of Delegates and 29 votes in the Maryland State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
See also
Footnotes
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