Indiana Constitution ARTICLE 16.
Indiana Constitution – Article 16: Amendments
Overview:
Article 16 of the Indiana Constitution outlines the process for amending the state constitution. It ensures that any constitutional change goes through a rigorous, democratic process, involving two legislatures and the voters.
🔑 Key Provisions of Article 16:
Section 1 – Amendment Procedure
An amendment to the Indiana Constitution must follow these steps:
Proposal by the General Assembly:
A majority of the members elected to each house (Senate and House of Representatives) must approve the proposed amendment.
Second Approval after Election:
The next General Assembly, after a general election, must again approve the same amendment by majority vote in both houses.
This ensures public input between approvals, via the election.
Submission to Voters:
Once passed twice by the legislature, the amendment must be submitted to the voters of Indiana.
If a majority of voters approve it in the election, the amendment becomes part of the Constitution.
✅ Summary: Legislature → Election → Legislature (again) → Public Vote → Amendment Passed
Section 2 – Convention for Revision
The General Assembly may call a convention to revise, amend, or change the Constitution.
This requires a law passed by two successive General Assemblies, and approved by voters in a statewide election.
🏛️ This provides a broader mechanism to rewrite or overhaul the entire Constitution, not just amend sections.
📝 Summary:
Article 16 provides two paths to constitutional change in Indiana:
Amendments via two legislative approvals and a public vote.
A Constitutional Convention, with legislative and voter approval, for broader revisions.
This process ensures that constitutional changes reflect the will of both the legislature and the people, preserving democratic accountability.
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