The proposed rule assures that ND citizens write state constitution modifications

Bismarck, North Dakota – A proposed state constitutional amendment that seeks to ensure that any amendments to the Constitution are made by North Dakotans and not by out-of-state interests was approved by the state Senate.

Sen. Janne Myrdal, a Republican from Edinburg, introduced the legislation.

“The North Dakota Constitution stands naked on Main Street. So, anyone out of state with a couple of million dollars can attach it to a dart and just throw it into our state and change our Constitution,” Myrdal said. “It is way too easy.”

An initiated constitutional amendment must be included on the ballot for both the primary and general elections under the law as it was written. Additionally, it forbids paid circulators and mandates that they have lived in North Dakota for at least 120 days.

Almost 5% of the state’s population would be needed as signatures in order to qualify it for the ballot.

The change was approved 44–3 Now the House will think about it.