What will this resolution do?

• Increases the threshold for approving a constitutional amendment from a simple majority to sixty percent. If passed, the matter will be placed on a ballot for voters to ultimately approve or reject.

Why is this resolution needed?

• The process of amending the state constitution should be possible, yet much more difficult than it is currently.

• Ballot initiatives enable citizens to bypass their state legislature which, unfortunately, can usher in a tyranny of the majority. There are good reasons why our founding fathers created a constitutional republic, rather than a direct democracy.

• Speaking of a tyranny of the majority, abortion rights ballot measures won in 7 out of 10 US States in the general election. North Dakota needs a strong barrier to prevent abortion activists and sympathizers from codifying a right to abortion within our state constitution. The majority of citizens may want unfettered access to abortion, but that doesn’t mean they should get it.

Click here for complete information on HCR 3003, including updates, hearings, and testimony submission.

• Deadline to submit testimony in support of HCR 3003 is 7:45AM on January 16th. The hearing will be held by the House Government and Veteran Affairs Committee on January 16th at 10:45AM in the Pioneer Room at the State Capitol. See How to Submit Legislative Testimony.