Bill > ACR180

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to raise the voting threshold for submitting constitutional amendments during a lame duck session from three-fifths to four-fifths majority in both legislative chambers. A lame duck session occurs in the second year of a Legislature, beginning on the first day voters can cast ballots in the November general election and ending when the new Legislature begins in January. Currently, constitutional amendments can be approved with 24 votes in the Senate and 48 votes in the General Assembly during a lame duck session, or through a simple majority vote in consecutive legislative years. Under this proposed amendment, constitutional amendments during the lame duck period would require 32 votes in the Senate and 64 votes in the General Assembly, making it significantly more difficult to pass amendments during this transitional period. If approved by voters, this change would add a new paragraph to Article IX of the New Jersey Constitution, effectively creating a higher bar for constitutional amendments during the lame duck session to prevent potentially controversial changes being made by outgoing legislators.

Government Affairs

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/ACR180