BISMARCK, N.D. — The Latest on legislation in North Dakota for changes to the citizen initiative process (all times local):
10 a.m.
North Dakota’s Republican-led Legislature is getting some criticism for trying to make it more difficult for citizen-led initiatives to get on the ballot.
Beulah electrician Kevin Herrmann told a Senate committee on Thursday that the move “will hamper or stop” citizen efforts to amend the state constitution.
Senators voted this month to allow the Legislature to vote on an initiated measure following voters’ approval. The initiative would go back to voters for final approval if lawmakers don’t endorse it.
Lawmakers also have a resolution to raise to 60 per cent the margin necessary to approve a constitutional amendment, rather than a simple majority. Another would double the number of signatures required to put a measure before voters.
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9 a.m.
North Dakota’s Republican-led Legislature wants to make it more difficult for citizen-led initiatives that amend the state constitution.
The move is inspired in part by a string of successful ballot measures funded largely by out-of-state interests.
Senators voted this month to allow the Legislature to vote on an initiated measure following voters’ approval. The initiative would go back to voters for final approval if it fails to win lawmakers’ endorsement.
Lawmakers also have a resolution to raise to 60 per cent the margin necessary to approve a constitutional amendment, instead of a majority. Anotherwould double the number of signatures required to put a measure before voters.
The Associated Press
