BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota voters on Tuesday approved a measure requiring that all proposed constitutional amendments address only a single subject, with roughly two-thirds of the electorate supporting the change. The results, while still unofficial, showed 66 percent in favor and 34 percent opposed.
The new rule applies to both citizen-initiated amendments and those referred to the ballot by the state legislature. Under the measure, the North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office will be responsible for verifying that any proposed amendment meets the single-subject standard before it can be certified for the ballot.
What Passed and How It Got There
Constitutional Measure 1 reached Tuesday’s ballot through Senate Resolution 4007, which state lawmakers approved during the 2025 legislative session. Secretary of State Michael Howe indicated during that session that his office would consult the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office when making single-subject determinations on proposed amendments.
The concept is not new to North Dakota voters. Lawmakers had previously included a similar provision as part of a broader package of changes to the constitutional amendment process, but that proposal was rejected by voters on the 2024 general election ballot. This year’s measure passed by a considerably wider margin, suggesting the standalone approach resonated more strongly with the electorate.
Voter Reaction
Opinions among Bismarck residents reflected a genuine split in how the rule is likely to function in practice. Bismarck resident Rob Moyle expressed support for the measure, saying, “I think it should be narrow and focused” when it comes to amending the state’s constitution.
Not everyone shared that view. Bismarck voter Patrick Clancy raised concerns about the effect on citizen initiatives, arguing the requirement “kind of takes the voice away from people that are trying to put out a particular initiative.”
What’s Next
With the measure approved, the Secretary of State’s Office will need to establish a review process ahead of future election cycles. Questions remain about how broadly or narrowly the single-subject standard will be interpreted, and the Attorney General’s role in making those calls will likely come into sharper focus as future amendments are proposed.
The rule could have implications for citizen-led ballot campaigns that have historically bundled related provisions into a single constitutional measure. Proponents argue the change will produce cleaner, more transparent amendments; opponents contend it may create procedural hurdles that limit direct democracy. Tuesday’s North Dakota primary also featured several local races and tax questions that drove statewide turnout heading into the vote.
How the new standard is applied — and whether it faces legal challenges — will likely shape its long-term impact on North Dakota’s constitutional amendment process.