How Nevada Voters Change the State Constitution
Nevada’s Constitution can be changed in three ways: through the Legislature, by voters using a petition, or the rare use of a constitutional convention. All of these paths are designed to move slowly. When voters petition for a constitutional change, the proposal must win a majority vote in two consecutive general elections. Nevada is the only state with this rule.
Two citizen-created initiatives that would change the Constitution are on the ballot for the upcoming election. Both petitions were filed in 2024 after collecting signatures equal to 10% of the votes cast in the 2022 general election. A majority voted yes on both, so the same questions now return for a second vote. This process has been used several times before.
Past examples include a ban on a state income tax (1988 and 1990), a two-thirds vote rule for raising state revenue (1994 and 1996), medical marijuana legalization (1998 and 2000), and a marriage definition (2000 and 2002, later removed in 2020).
The two 2026 ballot questions cover abortion rights and voter ID.
Question 6 would put a right to abortion in the Constitution. It would allow an abortion by a qualified health-care practitioner up to fetal viability, or later if needed to protect the life or health of the pregnant person. The state could not interfere unless it has a strong health-related reason and uses the least restrictive approach. Fetal viability means the point where the treating practitioner judges the fetus has a good chance of surviving outside the uterus without extraordinary medical help. Current law generally allows abortion up to 24 weeks with later life-or-health exceptions.
Question 7 would require identification to vote. In-person voters would show a photo ID such as a driver’s license, state or federal ID, passport, military ID, tribal ID, Nevada public college student ID, or concealed-carry permit. Mail voters would write the last four digits of their driver’s license number, Social Security number, or an assigned number given when they registered to vote, next to their signature.
