Types of ballot measures in North Dakota


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.

In North Dakota, statewide ballot measures can be citizen-initiated. The North Dakota State Legislature can also vote to refer measures to the ballot. This page provides an overview of the different types of ballot measures that can appear on state ballots in North Dakota.

The types of state ballot measures in North Dakota are:

Initiated constitutional amendments
Initiated state statutes
Veto referendums
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
Constitutional convention questions

Citizen-initiated ballot measures

In North Dakota, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums. In 1914, voters adopted constitutional amendments allowing for initiatives and veto referendums.

Initiated constitutional amendments

See also: Initiated constitutional amendment

An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In North Dakota, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 4% of the state's population reported by the last decennial census. Each initiative has its own unique deadline of one year after it was approved to circulate. The completed petition must be submitted at least 120 days prior to the election.

Initiated state statutes

See also: Initiated state statute

An initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are 21 states that allow citizens to initiate state statutes, including 14 that provide for direct initiatives and nine (9) that provide for indirect initiatives (two provide for both). An indirect initiated state statute goes to the legislature after a successful signature drive. The legislatures in these states have the option of approving the initiative itself, rather than the initiative appearing on the ballot.

In North Dakota, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 2% of the state's population reported by the last decennial census. Each initiative has its own unique deadline of one year after it was approved to circulate. The completed petition must be submitted at least 120 days prior to the election.

Veto referendums

See also: Veto referendum

A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. This type of ballot measure is also called statute referendum, popular referendum, people's veto, or citizen's veto. There are 23 states that allow citizens to initiate veto referendums.

In North Dakota, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 2% of the state's population reported by the last decennial census.

A referendum petition with the required number of signatures must be submitted within 90 days after the legislation being referred was signed by the governor and filed with the secretary of state.

Legislative referrals

Legislatively referred constitutional amendments

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the North Dakota State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 48 votes in the North Dakota House of Representatives and 24 votes in the North Dakota State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Constitutional convention questions

See also: Constitutional convention question

According to Section 1 of Article III of the North Dakota Constitution, the state's initiative petition process is used to call a constitutional convention.

Other types of ballot measures

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