State Constitutional Convention - Question on Ballot - Passage by Majority of Votes Cast
Summary
HB979 proposes a constitutional amendment to change the voting threshold for calling a Maryland Constitutional Convention and for approving any convention-proposed constitutional changes. Under current language, a convention is triggered, and any resulting constitutional changes take effect, only if a majority of voters voting in the election support them. This bill would instead require only a majority of the votes cast on the specific ballot question, rather than a majority of all voters participating in the election.
The bill would amend Article XIV, Section 2 of the Maryland Constitution to replace the broader “majority of voters voting thereon” standard with a “majority of votes cast on the question” standard in two places: first, for whether the General Assembly must call a convention after the periodic referendum, and second, for whether any constitution or constitutional amendment adopted by the convention becomes effective. It also directs that the proposed amendment be submitted to voters at the November 2026 general election and states that local approval requirements for constitutional amendments do not apply because the change affects multiple jurisdictions.
Impact
If adopted, HB979 would alter the constitutional rules governing how Maryland can convene a constitutional convention and ratify convention proposals, making it easier for a convention to be called and for its work to be approved. The bill would amend the state constitution rather than ordinary statute, so the change would directly affect Article XIV procedures and the threshold used in future statewide ballot questions on constitutional conventions.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript, vote tally, or recorded opposition/support, so there is no documented debate to gauge sentiment. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears procedural and structural rather than policy-specific, and its purpose is to simplify the approval standard for constitutional convention questions.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the lowered voting threshold. Supporters would view the bill as aligning the convention process with a straightforward majority of votes actually cast on the question, while opponents may argue that changing from a broader voter-based standard makes it easier to call a convention and adopt constitutional changes with less than majority support from all participating voters. Because the bill concerns the mechanism for constitutional revision, the stakes are institutional and could draw concern from those wary of making constitutional change easier.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides for the election of constitutional convention delegates and vote requirements necessary for the adoption of a new constitution (RR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
(Constitutional Amendment) Modifies disposition of certain state revenues through repeal of the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund and deposits of certain revenue streams into the Budget Stabilization Fund (RRF INCREASE GF RV See Note)
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to the application of state monies to the unfunded accrued liability of the Teachers' Retirement System of La. (EN DECREASE SD RV See Note)
Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.