NORTH DAKOTA

North Dakota's constitution DOES ALLOW FOR the proposal of constitutional amendment by petition!See a constitutional lawyer about the specifics of executing such a petition. It is advisable to organize around such a petition, to better ensure the acquisition of signatures from all of North Dakota, and coordinate submission of the amendment.

Neither the legislative assembly nor the governor are empowered to overrule an amendment so proposed. There is nothing any politician can do to stop it going to ballot, and once it is approved by the people of North Dakota, there is nothing any politician can do to stop it going into effect.

It is also plausible to gadfly assemblymen, run for a seat yourself, encourage another to do so, and/or organize a political party to coordinate voting efforts; however, in light of the above, all of this should be unnecessary and it is preferable to focus your efforts on that petition!

Once the amendment gets on the ballot, it is still imperative that you vote. Amendments require a majority of voters to approve it in an election. Do not forget this step.

Again, the needed elements are:

FIRST: A selected legislative branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of senate and representatives - This is the important element. If nothing else is done, this must be.

 Necessitating three persons jointly and in unison control one seat

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that officers are not permitted to step down

SECOND: A selected executive branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of governor, lieutenant-governor, et al.

 Necessitating three persons jointly and in unison discharge all administrative duties

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that officers are not permitted to step down

THIRD: A selected judicial branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of judges

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that judges are not permitted to step down

The astute will note I have highlighted one item. This is because, all else failing, a legislative assembly so composed will reasonably be expected to institute the rest of this form of government, both at the state level and at all levels controlled by state law. If the rest of this cannot be pushed through, that item alone will salvage North Dakota from depredation, and if that item is not present, the rest of this is rather pointless.

Important highlights of the North Dakota constitution are thus:

Article III handles powers reserved to the people.

Section 10 empowers the people to recall.

Article IV empowers the legislative branch.

Section 1 handles the number of both chambers.

Sections 3 and 4 handle the appointment of assemblymen.

Section 12 handles expulsion.

Section 13 handles manner of vote.

Article V empowers the executive branch.

Section 2 lists and handles the appointment of all state executive officers.

Article VI empowers the judicial branch.

Section 7 handles the appointment of supreme court justices.

Section 9 handles the appointment of district court judges.

Sections 12 and 12.1 handle removal.

Section 13 further discusses judicial appointment.

Article XI deals with general provisions.

Sections 8 through 15 empower the legislative assembly to impeachment and removal.

These highlights aren't necessarily complete, and the services of a constitutional lawyer will serve you well.

On the county and city levels, similar changes will need to be made. These matters are handled by law or other parts of the constitution. I have faith that a citizen legislative assembly in North Dakota will attend to this problem with due urgency and care.