Arizona Constitution Article 21 - MODE OF AMENDING
Arizona Constitution – Article 21: Mode of Amending
Overview:
Article 21 of the Arizona Constitution outlines the procedures for amending the state constitution. It provides two main methods:
Legislative Proposal
Initiative by the People
Section-by-Section Summary:
Section 1 – Proposal by Legislature; Submission; Publication
The legislature may propose amendments to the constitution.
A proposed amendment must be approved by a majority of all members elected to each house of the legislature.
Once passed, it is submitted to voters at the next general election.
The amendment must be published in a newspaper in each county for at least 90 days before the election.
Section 1.1 – Initiative for Constitutional Amendment
The people may propose constitutional amendments through the initiative process.
To qualify for the ballot, a petition must be signed by qualified electors equal to 15% of the votes cast for all candidates for governor in the last general election.
If certified, the measure is submitted to the people at the next general election.
Section 2 – Convention to Amend Constitution
A constitutional convention to amend the constitution can be called by a vote of the people, but only if the legislature passes a law to submit that question to the voters.
Delegates to the convention must be elected by the people.
Any proposed changes from the convention must be submitted to the people for approval.
✅ Key Takeaways:
Amendments can come from either the legislature or the people.
All amendments must ultimately be approved by Arizona voters in an election.
The process includes public notice, petition requirements, and electoral consent to ensure democratic legitimacy.
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