Chapter One Federal Government - Minnesota State Legislature

Chapter
Seven
Legacy
Chapter Seven Legacy
Sec. 7. Official year of state. The official year for the state of Minnesota commences on the first Monday in
January in each year and all terms of office terminate at that time. The general election shall be held on the first
Tuesday after the first Monday in November in each even numbered year.
Sec. 8. Election returns to secretary of state; board of canvassers. The returns of every election for officeholders
elected statewide shall be made to the secretary of state who shall call to his assistance two or more of the judges of
the supreme court and two disinterested judges of the district courts. They shall constitute a board of canvassers to
canvass the returns and declare the result within three days after the canvass.
Sec. 9. Campaign spending limits. The amount that may be spent by candidates for constitutional and legislative
offices to campaign for nomination or election shall be limited by law. The legislature shall provide by law for disclosure
of contributions and expenditures made to support or oppose candidates for state elective offices.
ARTICLE VIII
IMPEACHMENT AND REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
Section 1. Impeachment powers. The house of representatives has the sole power of impeachment through a
concurrence of a majority of all its members. All impeachments shall be tried by the senate. When sitting for that
purpose, senators shall be upon oath or affirmation to do justice according to law and evidence. No person shall be
convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the senators present.
Sec. 2. Officers subject to impeachment; grounds; judgment. The governor, secretary of state, auditor, attorney
general and the judges of the supreme court, court of appeals and district courts may be impeached for corrupt conduct
in office or for crimes and misdemeanors; but judgment shall not extend further than to removal from office
and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit in this state. The party convicted shall also
be subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment according to law.
Sec. 3. Suspension. No officer shall exercise the duties of his office after he has been impeached and before his
acquittal.
Sec. 4. Service of impeachment papers. No person shall be tried on impeachment before he has been served with
a copy thereof at least 20 days previous to the day set for trial.
Sec. 5. Removal of inferior officers. The legislature of this state may provide for the removal of inferior officers
for malfeasance or nonfeasance in the performance of their duties.
Sec. 6. A member of the senate or house of representatives, an executive officer of the state identified in section
1 of article V of the constitution, or a judge of the supreme court, the court of appeals, or a district court
is subject to recall from office by the voters. The grounds for recall of a judge shall be established by the
supreme court. The grounds for recall of an officer other than judge are serious malfeasance or nonfeasance during
the term of office in the performance of the duties of the office or conviction during the term of office of a serious
crime. A petition for recall must set forth the specific conduct that may warrant recall. A petition may not be issued
until the supreme court has determined that the facts alleged in the petition are true and are sufficient grounds for
issuing a recall petition. A petition must be signed by a number of eligible voters who reside in the district where
the officer serves and who number not less than 25 percent of the number of votes cast for the office at the most
recent general election. Upon a determination by the secretary of state that a petition has been signed by at least the
minimum number of eligible voters, a recall election must be conducted in the manner provided by law. A recall
election may not occur less than six months before the end of the officer’s term. An officer who is removed from
office by a recall election or who resigns from office after a petition for recall issues may not be appointed to fill
the vacancy that is created.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Section 1. Amendments; ratification. A majority of the members elected to each house of the legislature may propose
amendments to this constitution. Proposed amendments shall be published with the laws passed at the same
session and submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at a general election. If a majority of all the electors
voting at the election vote to ratify an amendment, it becomes a part of this constitution. If two or more amendments
are submitted at the same time, voters shall vote for or against each separately.
Sec. 2. Constitutional convention. Two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the legislature may submit
to the electors at the next general election the question of calling a convention to revise this constitution. If a majority
of all the electors voting at the election vote for a convention, the legislature at its next session, shall provide by
law for calling the convention. The convention shall consist of as many delegates as there are members of the house
of representatives. Delegates shall be chosen in the same manner as members of the house of representatives and
shall meet within three months after their election. Section 5 of Article IV of the constitution does not apply to
election to the convention.
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