Minnesota 1972 ballot measures
In 1972, voters decided on four statewide ballot measures in Minnesota on November 7.
- All four measures were legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
- Voters approved all four ballot measures.
On the ballot
November 7, 1972
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Legislative processes | Alter the manner of determining the length of legislative sessions, permitting variations in the times for meetings of the legislature |
|
968,088 (62%) |
603,385 (38%) |
|
| Amendment 2 | Judiciary; Judiciary structure | Reorganize the state judicial system, provide for appointment of clerks of district court, and authorize discipline and removal of judges |
|
1,012,916 (66%) |
531,831 (34%) |
|
| Amendment 3 | State executive structure | Provide for the joint election of the governor and lieutenant governor, and remove the lieutenant governor as the presiding officer of the senate |
|
1,064,580 (68%) |
503,342 (32%) |
|
| Amendment 4 | Veterans | Levy taxes for the purpose of providing bonuses to veterans of the Vietnam War |
|
1,131,921 (70%) |
477,473 (30%) |
Historical context
The inventory of Minnesota statewide ballot measures is part of Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbooks, which document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will provide an unparalleled resource for researchers, reporters, and voters on how ballot measures have evolved, the issues they've covered, and the role they have played in our civic life. Click here to access the Minnesota Historical Ballot Measures Factbook.
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Minnesota ballot measures dating back to 1857, the year Minnesota voters ratified the state constitution and the year before Minnesota was admitted to the union. Between 1857 and 2025, Minnesota voters decided on 218 ballot measures. Of those, 123 were approved, and 95 were defeated.
The Minnesota State Legislature has placed 217 legislatively referred constitutional amendments on the state ballot. The remaining measure, to ratify the state constitution in 1857, was referred to the ballot by the Minnesota constitutional convention.
The average number of ballot measures per decade was 12, with an average approval rate of 65.5%.
- The 1910s had the most ballot measures, with 32 in total.
- The 1910s also had the lowest approval rate at 15.6%. Voters approved five ballot measures and defeated 27 (84.4%).
- The 1850s, 2000s, and 2020s had the highest approval rates, at 100%.
Types of ballot measures in Minnesota
- See also: Types of ballot measures in Minnesota
Citizen-initiated ballot measures
In Minnesota, citizens do not have the power to initiate ballot measures at the state level.
Legislative referrals
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Minnesota State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 68 votes in the Minnesota House of Representatives and 34 votes in the Minnesota State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Ratifying an amendment requires a 'Yes' vote from a simple majority of all voters casting a ballot in the election, rather than a simple majority of those voting on the question.
Constitutional convention questions
- See also: Constitutional convention question
According to Section 3 of Article IX of the Minnesota Constitution, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in each chamber during one legislative session is required to send a constitutional convention question to voters. A simple majority vote by the electorate is required to call the convention. Any proposed amendments approved by the convention require a 60% vote of the electorate to be ratified.
See also
Footnotes
 |
State of Minnesota St. Paul (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2026 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
