1985 Northern Mariana Islands constitutional referendum

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A 44-part constitutional referendum was held in the Northern Mariana Islands on 3 November 1985.

Contents

Background

In 1983 a referendum on electing a Constitutional Convention was held and approved by voters. The subsequent Convention proposed 44 amendments to the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Constitution, which were to be voted on individually. In order to pass, an amendment was required to be supported by both a majority of voters overall and at least two-thirds of voters in two of the three Senate constituencies. [1]

Results

QuestionForAgainstInvalid/
blank
TotalRegistered
voters
TurnoutSenate seatsOutcome
Votes%Votes%ForAgainst
Chapter I, article 9: Clean and Healthful Environment7,610Accepted
Chapter I, article 11: Victims of CrimeAccepted
Chapter 1, article 12: AbortionAccepted
Chapter II, articles 2d, 3d: Election candidatesAccepted
Chapter II, article 5d: Legislation on nonaliensAccepted
Chapter II, article 7: Governor's vetoAccepted
Chapter II, articles 11, 14a: Legislature membersAccepted
Chapter II, article 13: Legislature sessionsAccepted
Chapter II, article 166: Budget ceilingAccepted
Chapter II, article 17: Legislative BureauAccepted
Chapter II, article 2: Qualifications of the GovernorAccepted
Chapter III, article 4: Election of the Governor and Lieutenant GovernorAccepted
Chapter III, article 7: Succession of the Governor and Lieutenant GovernorAccepted
Chapter III, article 9: Executive functionsAccepted
Chapter III, article 10: Emergency powersAccepted
Chapter III, article 11: Attorney GeneralAccepted
Chapter III, article 12: Public AuditorAccepted
Chapter III, article 18g: Salary of the Executive Assistant for Carolinian AffairsAccepted
Chapter III, article 20: Retirement systemAccepted
Chapter III, article 21: Boards and CommissionsAccepted
Chapter III, article 22: Special Assistant for Women's AffairsAccepted
Chapter III, article 23: Resident Executive For Indigenous AffairsAccepted
Chapter IV, articles 2–4: Courts and judgesAccepted
Chapter V: Resident Representative to the United StatesAccepted
Chapter VI: Local governmentAccepted
Chapter VIII, article 1: General election datesAccepted
Chapter VIII, article 5: Resignation from public officeAccepted
Chapter X, article 1: Public purposeAccepted
Chapter X, article 5: Real property taxesAccepted
Chapter X, articles 6–7Accepted
CHapter X, articles 8–9Accepted
Chapter XI, articles 4–5: Marianas Public Land CorporationAccepted
Chapter XI, article 6Accepted
Chapter XII, article 2: AcquisitionAccepted
Chapter XII, article 3: Interests in Real PropertyAccepted
Chapter XII, articles 5–6Accepted
Chapter XIII, article 2: Uninhabited IslandsAccepted
Chapter XIVAccepted
CHapter XVIII, sections 2a, 5aAccepted
Chapter XIX, article 1: Code of ethicsAccepted
Chapter XXX, article 1: Civil serviceAccepted
Chapter XXI, article 1: GamblingAccepted
Chapter XXII: State symbolsAccepted
Transitional provision 8: NationalityQuashed by court ruling
Source: Direct Democracy

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