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Measure 1 is not perfect

By Staff | Oct 29, 2022

Erika Kenner , Leeds

There has been an initiated constitutional measure on the ballot in ND each election year for the past 10 years. As citizens of North Dakota, we have the right to propose initiated measures, which means that when we go to vote, we have the duty to understand exactly what each measure will do. There are two types of measures, statutory and constitutional, and they both take a lot of work.

A statutory measure changes the state’s Century Code. After seven years, the legislature can repeal or amend it with input from the people or prior to that, the legislature can amend or repeal with a 2/3 majority vote in each chamber.

A constitutional measure changes our state’s constitution by only a majority plus one vote; not a 2/3 majority vote, making us a target for out-of-state interest groups to push their agendas on us. After it passes, the only way to amend/repeal is through another majority vote of the people. The legislature can amend/repeal it, but then it is placed on the ballot for the people to ratify or the citizens can bring another initiated measure forward, but the people have the final say either way. It is imperative the wording of a constitutional measure is perfect, and we don’t only agree with part of the measure, but we agree with every single word.

This election cycle, we have one constitutional measure (Measure 1) that goes one step further and includes a stipulation removing the legislature’s ability to bring a change to the ballot. If there are any parts that become a problem later, no changes can be made unless over 30,000 signatures are obtained to propose another Constitutional Measure!

Here are the flaws I see in Measure 1:

Only includes the governor and the state legislature. What about the other statewide offices? The attorney general and the ag commissioner serve on the State Industrial Committee with the governor. Why wouldn’t they all have the same limitations?

Only allows eight years in the legislature for a lifetime, which is only four sessions since we have a biennial Legislature. That means we will leave the budget of our state in the hands of inexperienced people and allows the unelected bureaucrats to control decisions.

Inconsistency during re-districting years. Some legislators will only be allowed to serve for six years instead of eight years, which isn’t consistent or fair across all the districts.

Only allows amendments to the law by the initiated measure process.

Creates a government mandate on who we can choose and takes away our choice as voters to decide how long our own representatives deserve to be in office. Each District should decide for themselves. In the last 10 years, 68% of the ND senators and 66% of the ND representatives have turned over, which shows our system is already working.

$816,000 funded by out-of-state special interest groups and only $500 of that was given by one donor in North Dakota. 91% of the money is being paid to out-of-state entities. Only $6,100 spent by in-state donors in two years.

This year, there are not enough candidates from either party to run for all the open seats available. Several are running unopposed. Once we start mandatorily kicking people out every eight years, how will we fill all those seats with qualified people?

The legislators of North Dakota work for the people of the state. Our tax dollars pay them to be there for us, so when we go to the ballot box, we are hiring them. When we hire people on our farm/ranch, we hope they will work for us many years. In fact, we have several employees on our operation who have worked with us for over 25 years. We consider them assets, not detriments.

Make sure to be educated on the measures before marking your ballot! Research who is behind them, follow the money and know what each measure exactly says. A no vote does not mean a person is against the idea, it only means the measure isn’t good law. And remember, it’s a Constitutional Measure that needs to be absolutely perfect to pass!

Join me in voting NO on Measure 1, as it is not perfect!