IOWA, USA — Iowa voters have approved two new state constitutional amendments, according to early projections by the Associated Press.
One amendment will adjust Iowa’s gubernatorial line of succession, while the other further clarifies who is eligible to vote in Iowa.
Both amendments were proposed by the Iowa Legislature and have passed with a majority through the Iowa House of Representatives and the Iowa Senate in two consecutive sessions.
Constitutional Amendment 1
The first constitutional amendment on Iowans' ballots passed with 75.6% of voters approving the addition, the AP projects.
The amendment will allow Iowans who are 17 years old to vote in primary elections, provided they are 18 years old by the general election. Furthermore, the amendment also changes the voting age in the constitution to be 18, rather than 21.
Both of these regulations are already practiced across the state, but would be codified in the constitution if approved.
Constitutional Amendment 2
The second constitutional amendment on Iowans' ballots this year adjusts the gubernatorial line of succession. 80.6% of Iowa voters approved the amendment, the AP projects.
The proposed amendment lays out a clear course of action in the event a sitting governor resigns, dies or becomes permanently disabled while in office.
The amendment states the lieutenant governor would automatically take over the governor's position until the end of the elected term if the governor can no longer fulfill the duties of their office.
In addition, the amendment stipulates that if the lieutenant governor assumes the governor's role, there would be a vacancy in the lieutenant governor's office. From there, the new governor can appoint a new lieutenant governor.