THE PROCESS:
Any amendment to the state constitution must be approved by a majority of lawmakers during two successive two-year legislative sessions. If approved by the end of the 2003-2004 session, which ends in December, the gay marriage amendment would have to be approved again during the 2005-2006 session before going on the ballot in November 2006.
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THE VOTES:
During the constitutional convention, a joint session of the House and Senate -- currently a total of 199 lawmakers, with one vacancy -- will have to take several votes.
The first two votes would replace underlying amendments with compromise language proposed by joint leadership.
The third vote is critical, as it would send the amendment to a third reading. It must be approved by a majority of members who are present and voting. All bills are given three readings, and sending a bill to a third reading is an initial step toward final passage.
The subsequent action, to give the amendment final approval and send it on for further consideration during the 2005-2006 legislative session, must be approved by 101 members. This would be the threshold regardless of how many people are in the chamber or voting at the time.
This action could not be taken on the same day as the first unless four-fifths of lawmakers agreed to waive the rules of the constitutional convention.
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AMENDING THE AMENDMENT:
If lawmakers want to amend the amendment, it could be done before the vote sending it to a third reading, or before the final vote. That would take a simple majority of those present and voting in the chamber.
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Source: Senate Clerk's Office
