Amends State Constitution to require four-fifths majority vote of Legislature to submit constitutional amendment to voters during lame duck session.
Impact
If passed, ACR82 will tighten the requirements for constitutional amendments during a particularly sensitive legislative period - the lame duck session. Currently, amendments can be proposed with a simple majority or a three-fifths majority vote. Under the new requirement, at least 32 votes in the Senate and 64 in the General Assembly would be necessary, which may considerably limit the legislative actions that can be taken during this session. This heightened threshold aims to ensure that amendments are more broadly supported, possibly reflecting a collective alignment of opinions among elected officials.
Summary
ACR82 proposes a significant change to the New Jersey Constitution by stipulating that a four-fifths majority vote of the Legislature will be required to submit a constitutional amendment to voters during a lame duck session. A lame duck session occurs at the end of the second year of a Legislature, beginning on the day voters can cast ballots for General Assembly members and ending when the new Legislature convenes. This bill seeks to increase the threshold for constitutional amendments, currently needing only a three-fifths majority or a simple majority across consecutive years to be submitted for public vote.
Contention
The proposed bill has potential implications for the legislative process by changing how susceptible the Constitution is to alterations during a lame duck session. Critics might argue that such restrictions could obstruct timely amendments that reflect the will of the people when representatives are still in office. Proponents, on the other hand, may view it as a safeguard against hasty decisions made by outgoing legislators who may be less accountable to voters. This amendment not only alters procedural dynamics but also raises questions about the balance of power between the legislative body and the public's direct influence on state constitutional matters.
Carry Over
Amends State Constitution to require four-fifths majority vote of Legislature to submit constitutional amendment to voters during lame duck season.
Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for the limited purpose of proposing one or more amendments to the constitution to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office of federal officials and members of Congress.
Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for the limited purpose of proposing one or more amendments to the constitution to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office of federal officials and members of Congress.
Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.
Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.
Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.