Constitutional Measure 1Require 60% to pass future constitutional amendments
Read the full text of the measure: Secretary of State file (PDF)
In plain words
Today a change to the North Dakota Constitution passes if more than half of the voters who vote on it say yes. This measure raises that bar to at least 60% yes votes. The new bar would apply to changes put on the ballot by the Legislature and to changes put on the ballot by petition. (sos.nd.gov (North Dakota Secretary of State) )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| Share of yes votes needed to change the constitution | More than 50% | At least 60% |
| Applies to changes from the Legislature | Yes (50% rule) | Yes (60% rule) |
| Applies to changes from citizen petitions | Yes (50% rule) | Yes (60% rule) |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (sos.nd.gov (North Dakota Secretary of State) )
Example
Illustration only: if 400,000 people vote on an amendment, it passes today with 200,001 yes votes. Under this measure it would need 240,000 yes votes. (sos.nd.gov (North Dakota Secretary of State) )
Biggest change
- Raises the yes vote needed for any constitutional amendment from more than 50% to at least 60% of those voting on it. source: sos.nd.gov (North Dakota Secretary of State)
- Applies the same 60% rule to amendments placed on the ballot by the Legislature and by citizen petition. source: sos.nd.gov (North Dakota Secretary of State)
Who it affects most: Groups that put amendments on the ballot by petition, and the Legislature too, since the rule covers both. Any future amendment would need more yes votes to pass.
Cost to the state: None. The Secretary of State's analysis estimates no fiscal impact.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
Changing the state constitution would take at least 60% yes votes instead of more than 50%.
Changing the state constitution would still take more than 50% yes votes.
Our one-line summary. The Secretary of State's measure guide has its own "What your vote means" text (linked under Read more); the official ballot wording above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
The Legislature put this on the ballot. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with more than half of the votes cast on it (a simple majority, the rule today).
- The Legislature placed this on the ballot through House Concurrent Resolution 3003 in the 2025 session. The resolution lists Representatives Weisz, Bosch, Klemin and Lefor and Senators Hogue, Myrdal and Hogan as its sponsors. source: sos.nd.gov (North Dakota Secretary of State)
Why supporters want it
- Rep. Robin Weisz (R-Hurdsfield), the first sponsor listed on the resolution: "It's all about the constitution." He says the constitution has been changed 168 times since 1889 under the 50% rule, and that the U.S. Constitution is protected by a high bar. source: kfgo.com
- Sen. Kristin Roers (R-Fargo), during the 2025 session: "The constitution should be harder to amend." source: yahoo.com
- North Dakota Farm Bureau recommends YES. Its guide says the change would make the constitution more stable and points to recent out-of-state-funded measures that passed by narrow margins. source: ndfb.org
- StrongND Fund treasurer Nick Hacker, whose group is aligned with Gov. Kelly Armstrong, says the constitution is too easy to amend. source: newsfromthestates.com
Why opponents object
- Kathy Tweeten, president of the League of Women Voters of North Dakota: the higher bar is a "significant barrier" and would "give the power to a super minority." Using 2024 voter numbers she says it would have taken roughly 37,000 more votes to pass an amendment. source: kfgo.com
- Protect the North Dakota Constitution chair Sargianna Wutzke: "Measure 1 is a threat to North Dakota's future." source: newsfromthestates.com
Who backs each side
- For: StrongND Fund (aligned with Gov. Kelly Armstrong), which has spent about $978,000; North Dakota Farm Bureau (recommends YES). Against: Protect the North Dakota Constitution, which reported over $1.2 million in donations, nearly all from the Fairness Project (about $1.12 million spent against); the National Education Association gave $50,000. Figures as of Oct. 8, 2026 reporting. source: newsfromthestates.com
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of State's official measure files .
Constitutional Measure No. 1
(House Concurrent Resolution No. 3003, 2025 Session Laws, Ch. 614)
This constitutional measure would amend and reenact section 9 of article III and section 16 of article IV of the Constitution of North Dakota. The proposed amendment would require constitutional amendments submitted to the electors, by resolution adopted by the legislative assembly proposing a constitutional amendment and each initiative petition and measure proposing a constitutional amendment, to receive an affirmative vote of at least sixty percent of those voting on the question for enactment.
The estimated fiscal impact of this measure is none.
Yes – Means you approve the measure as summarized above.
No – Means you reject the measure as summarized above.
Copied word for word from the Secretary of State's official ballot language PDF, and matched against the sample ballot printed in the Secretary of State's 2026 statewide ballot measure guide. The PDF prints the choices as Yes and No with the words shown. Your sample ballot is the final word. The measure guide prints this text without the words "proposing a constitutional amendment" after "legislative assembly"; we follow the ballot language PDF.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.
Full text of the measure
House Concurrent Resolution 3003 changes Article III, Section 9 (petitions to change the constitution) and Article IV, Section 16 (changes the Legislature proposes). In both, the vote needed to pass becomes at least sixty percent of the votes cast. Read it in the Secretary of State file (PDF) .
Read more
- Secretary of State: measures on the 2026 ballot
- Secretary of State: official analysis of Measure 1
- Secretary of State: 2026 ballot measure guide
- KFGO: sponsor and opponent debate Measure 1
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.