# 1985 Northern Mariana Islands constitutional referendum

A 44-part constitutional referendum was held in the Northern Mariana Islands on 3 November 1985.

## Background

In 1983 a referendum on electing a Constitutional Convention was held and approved by voters. The subsequent Convention proposed 44 amendments to the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Constitution, which were to be voted on individually. In order to pass, an amendment was required to be supported by both a majority of voters overall and at least two-thirds of voters in two of the three Senate constituencies.

## Results

| Question | For | For | Against | Against | Invalid/ blank | Total | Registered voters | Turnout | Senate seats | Senate seats | Outcome |
| Question | Votes | % | Votes | % | Invalid/ blank | Total | Registered voters | Turnout | For | Against | Outcome |
| Chapter I, article 9: Clean and Healthful Environment | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter I, article 11: Victims of Crime | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter 1, article 12: Abortion | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter II, articles 2d, 3d: Election candidates | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter II, article 5d: Legislation on nonaliens | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter II, article 7: Governor's veto | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter II, articles 11, 14a: Legislature members | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter II, article 13: Legislature sessions | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter II, article 166: Budget ceiling | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter II, article 17: Legislative Bureau | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter II, article 2: Qualifications of the Governor | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter III, article 4: Election of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter III, article 7: Succession of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter III, article 9: Executive functions | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter III, article 10: Emergency powers | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter III, article 11: Attorney General | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter III, article 12: Public Auditor | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter III, article 18g: Salary of the Executive Assistant for Carolinian Affairs | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter III, article 20: Retirement system | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter III, article 21: Boards and Commissions | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter III, article 22: Special Assistant for Women's Affairs | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter III, article 23: Resident Executive For Indigenous Affairs | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter IV, articles 2–4: Courts and judges | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter V: Resident Representative to the United States | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter VI: Local government | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter VIII, article 1: General election dates | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter VIII, article 5: Resignation from public office | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter X, article 1: Public purpose | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter X, article 5: Real property taxes | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter X, articles 6–7 | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| CHapter X, articles 8–9 | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter XI, articles 4–5: Marianas Public Land Corporation | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter XI, article 6 | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter XII, article 2: Acquisition | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter XII, article 3: Interests in Real Property | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter XII, articles 5–6 | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter XIII, article 2: Uninhabited Islands | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter XIV | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| CHapter XVIII, sections 2a, 5a | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter XIX, article 1: Code of ethics | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter XXX, article 1: Civil service | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter XXI, article 1: Gambling | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Chapter XXII: State symbols | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Accepted |
| Transitional provision 8: Nationality | | | | | | | 7,610 | | | | Quashed by court ruling |
| Source: Direct Democracy ||||||||||||