Us Amendments To Constitution In Maricopa
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The Arizona Constitution requires valid signatures from 15% of qualified electors to place an initiative proposing a constitutional amendment on the ballot and valid signatures from 10% of qualified electors to place an initiative proposing a statutory amendment on the ballot. Ariz. Const.
The most common method of amending state constitutions is through popular initiatives. Popular initiatives have been most successful when the measure seeks to limit the power of legislators. State constitutional conventions have lost favor with both legislators and voters in recent years.
An amendment may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress, or, if two-thirds of the States request one, by a convention called for that purpose. The amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the State legislatures, or three-fourths of conventions called in each State for ratification.
It is deliberately difficult to amend in order to prevent corrupt politicians from depriving citizens of their rights and establishing a tyrannical government. That is why it requires 75% of the states to ratify any amendment. It's difficult to get two thirds of states to agree to anything.
As the charter for a government with plenary powers, state constitutions tend to be longer and more frequently changed than the difficult-to-amend federal Constitution, the charter for a government with only enumerated powers.
The amendment process is very difficult and time consuming: A proposed amendment must be passed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress, then ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states. The ERA Amendment did not pass the necessary majority of state legislatures in the 1980s.
The U.S. Constitution is difficult to change and has only been amended 27 times. State constitutions, on the other hand, are much easier to modify, and state constitutional amendments are adopted on a regular basis. The current constitutions of the 50 states have been amended around 7,000 times.
Any amendment or amendments to this constitution may be proposed in either house of the legislature, or by initiative petition signed by a number of qualified electors equal to fifteen percent of the total number of votes for all candidates for governor at the last preceding general election.
The Arizona Constitution requires valid signatures from 15% of qualified electors to place an initiative proposing a constitutional amendment on the ballot and valid signatures from 10% of qualified electors to place an initiative proposing a statutory amendment on the ballot. Ariz. Const.
