Article XX, Idaho Constitution

Idaho Constitution
Preamble
Articles
I • II • III • IV • V • VI • VII • VIII • IX • X • XI • XII • XIII • XIV • XV • XVI • XVII • XVIII • XIX • XX • XXI

Article XX of the Idaho Constitution is labeled Amendments. It has four sections which lay out the two basic paths by which the constitution can be amended.

Either house of the Idaho State Legislature can propose an amendment. If the amendment is agreed to by two-thirds of the members of both the Idaho State Senate and the Idaho House of Representatives, the proposed amendment goes on the next general election ballot. The amendment becomes part of the constitution if it is approved in a simple majority.

A constitutional convention can be called if:

• Two-thirds of the members of each house of the legislature vote to place before the people a question as to whether the people want to call a convention.
• If a majority of all the voters voting at the election vote for a convention, the legislature must arrange to have a convention.

Section 1

Text of Section 1: How Amendments May Be Proposed Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in either branch of the legislature, and if the same shall be agreed to by two-thirds of all the members of each of the two houses, voting separately, such proposed amendment or amendments shall, with the yeas and nays thereon, be entered on their journals, and it shall be the duty of the legislature to submit such amendment or amendments to the electors of the state at the next general election, and cause the same to be published without delay for at least three times in every newspaper qualified to publish legal notices as provided by law. Said publication shall provide the arguments proposing and opposing said amendment or amendments as provided by law, and if a majority of the electors shall ratify the same, such amendment or amendments shall become a part of this Constitution.

Section 2

	Text of Section 2: Submission of Several Amendments If two or more amendments are proposed, they shall be submitted in such manner that the electors shall vote for or against each of them separately.

Section 3

Text of Section 3: Revision or Amendment by Convention Whenever two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the legislature shall deem it necessary to call a convention to revise or amend this Constitution, they shall recommend to the electors to vote at the next general election, for or against a convention, and if a majority of all the electors voting at said election shall have voted for a convention, the legislature shall at the next session provide by law for calling the same; and such convention shall consist of a number of members, not less than double the number of the most numerous branch of the legislature.

Section 4

	Text of Section 4: Submission of Revised Constitution to People Any Constitution adopted by such convention, shall have no validity until it has been submitted to, and adopted by, the people.

See also

• State constitution
• Constitutional article
• Constitutional amendment
• Constitutional revision
• Constitutional convention
• Amendments
  • Initiated constitutional amendment
  • Legislatively-referred constitutional amendment
  • Publication requirements for proposed state constitutional amendments
  • Rules about constitutional conventions in state constitutions
  • State constitutional articles governing state legislatures

External links

Suggest a link

• Idaho State Legislature, "Idaho Constitution
• University of Idaho, "Idaho Constitutional Revision Commission"
• University of Idaho, "Idaho Constitution"
• The Spokeman-Review, "Idaho Constitution"
• Idaho Secretary of State, "Idaho Constitutional Amendment History"
• History.com, "Jul 3, 1890: Idaho Becomes 43rd State"
• Idaho Historical Timeline

Additional reading

• Colson, Dennis C. (1991). Idaho's Constitution: The Tie That Binds, Boise, Idaho: Caxton Press
• Crowley, Donald, and Florence Heffron (2011). The Idaho State Constitution, New York, New York: Oxford University Press
• Talkington, H.L. (1911). Political History, State Constitution and School Laws of Idaho
• Visit Idaho.org, "Idaho History"