Oklahoma Constitution Article XXIV: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Oklahoma Constitution – Article XXIV: Constitutional Amendments – Summary

Article XXIV of the Oklahoma Constitution outlines the process for amending the state constitution, including how proposals are initiated, approved, and adopted.

Here’s a section-by-section summary of its main provisions:

🔹 Section 1 – Amending the Constitution

This section provides two methods to propose amendments to the Oklahoma Constitution:

A. Legislative Proposal

The Oklahoma Legislature may propose an amendment by a majority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The proposal must then be submitted to the people for a vote at the next general election or at a special election called by the Governor.

To be adopted, the amendment must receive a majority of votes cast on that question.

B. Constitutional Convention

The Legislature can also call for a constitutional convention by a two-thirds vote of both houses.

Alternatively, voters can petition to call a convention under Article V, Section 2.

Any proposed changes by the convention must also be approved by the people through a vote.

🔹 Section 2 – Limitations and Form

If a proposed amendment relates to more than one subject, each subject must be submitted as a separate proposition.

This prevents "logrolling" (bundling unrelated issues into a single proposal).

Key Principles of Article XXIV:

People’s Vote Required: No constitutional change becomes law without a vote of the people.

One-Subject Rule: Each amendment proposal must be limited to a single subject.

Flexibility + Protection: Balances the ability to update the Constitution with safeguards to prevent abuse.

 

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