Frequently Asked Questions about California Constitution Article XVIII

How many sections does Article 18 have? This article contains four sections.

What does Article 18 relate to? It relates to amending and revising the state Constitution.

Can the Legislature propose a constitutional amendment? Section 1 specifies that the Legislature by rollcall vote entered in the journal, two-thirds of the membership of each house concurring, may propose an amendment or revision of the Constitution and in the same manner may amend or withdraw its proposal.

Can the Legislature propose a constitutional convention? Section 2 provides that the Legislature by rollcall vote entered in the journal, two-thirds of the membership of each house concurring, may submit at a general election the question whether to call a convention to revise the Constitution.

What happens if the electorate votes in favor of a constitutional convention? If the majority vote yes on that question, within 6 months the Legislature must provide for the convention. Delegates to a constitutional convention are voters elected from districts as nearly equal in population as may be practicable.

Can the voters propose a constitutional amendment? Section 3 specifies that the state’s electors may amend the Constitution by initiative.

What happens when the Legislature places a measure on the ballot? Section 4 provides that a proposed amendment or revision is to be submitted to the electors.

What happens if the electorate approves a ballot measure? If approved by a majority of votes cast, then it takes effect on the fifth day after the Secretary of State files the statement of the vote for the election at which the measure is voted on, but the measure may provide that it becomes operative after its effective date.

What happens if multiple measures conflict with each other on the same ballot? If provisions of two or more measures approved at the same election conflict, the provisions of the measure receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will prevail.