17 states have passed resolutions in support of the movement to amend the Constitution!

Information provided by United For the People.

Passed Resolutions

California

Introduced on January 5, 2012 by Assembly Member Bob Weickowski, AJR 22 passed the Assembly on March 22 and the Senate on July 5. It disagreed with Citizens United and called for a constitutional amendment to overturn the decision and restore constitutional rights and fair elections to the people.

Colorado

On November 6, 2012, Coloradans voted 74% to 26% in favor of Amendment 65, which called for a constitutional amendment to limit campaign contributions and spending.

Connecticut

On September 12, 2012, Senator Gayle Slossberg and 21 other senators and Representative Russell A. Morin and 87 other representatives – a majority of the General Assembly – called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and restore elections to the people, firmly establishing that money is not speech nor are corporations entitled to constitutional rights.

Delaware

On June 10, 2013, 11 senators and 24 representatives – a majority of the General Assembly – called for a constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens United, making clear the right of the American people and their elected representatives to steadfastly pursue fair elections and democratic sovereignty.

Hawaii

Introduced on March 10, 2010 by Representative Robert N. Herkes, HCR 282 passed the House on April 9 and the Senate on April 28. It called for a constitutional amendment to clarify the distinction between natural persons’ rights and corporations’ rights, thereby preserving federal and state government authority to limit the electoral influence of corporations.

Illinois

Introduced on March 13, 2013 by Senator Heather A. Steans et al., SJR 27 passed the Senate on May 14 and the House on May 31. It disagreed with Citizens United and related cases and called for a constitutional amendment to overturn them and make clear that constitutional rights belong to natural persons; the use of money is not First Amendment speech and can be regulated; corporations and other artificial entities are subject to legislative regulation; and federal, state, and local governments have the power to require disclosure of, limit, and regulate all election contributions and expenditures.

Maine

Introduced on April 30, 2013 by Senator Richard G. Woodbury et al., SP 548 passed the Senate and House that same day. It called for a constitutional amendment to reaffirm the power to regulate the raising and spending of money in elections.

Maryland

On January 19, 2012, State Senator Jamie Raskin launched a campaign to gather signatures from his colleagues to call for a constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens United, restoring fair elections and democratic sovereignty. At its completion, 29 other senators and 77 delegates – a majority of the General Assembly – had joined the campaign.

Massachusetts

On January 21, 2011, S772, introduced by State Senator Jamie Eldridge, passed the Senate on July 26, 2012, and the House on July 31, 2012. The resolution called for action to “restore the First Amendment and fair elections to the people.”

Montana

On November 6, 2012, Montanans voted 75% to 25% in favor of Initiative No. 166, which charged Montana’s state and federal elected officials with implementing a policy, including by constitutional amendment, that corporations are not human beings with constitutional rights.

New Jersey

Introduced on February 16, 2012 by Senator Jeff Van Drew et al., SR 47 passed the Senate on October 4. Introduced on May 24, 2012 by Assembly Member Herb Conaway, Jr. et al., AR 86 passed the Assembly on October 18. Together they opposed Citizens United and called for a constitutional amendment to provide that, with regard to campaign spending by corporations, the First Amendment’s free speech guarantee protects only natural persons.

New Mexico

Introduced on January 13, 2012 by Representative Mimi Stewart, HM 4 passed the House on January 31. Introduced on January 13, 2012 by Senator Stephen H. Fischman, SM 3 passed the Senate on February 11. Together they opposed Citizens United and called for a constitutional amendment to restore democracy to the people.

New York

On June 15, 2016, a bipartisan group of state legislators joined the New York for Democracy coalition to announce that a majority of senators and assembly members in New York have called for a constitutional amendment to undo the effects of Citizens United. New York for Democracy has made their letters available here. This press release contains more information about the announcement, including quotes from legislators and coalition allies.

Oregon

Introduced on January 14, 2013 by Representative Brian L. Clem et al., HJM 6 passed the House on June 21 and the Senate on July 1. It called for a constitutional amendment to clarify the distinction between the rights of natural persons and the rights of corporations and other legal entities, and that federal and state governments may regulate money raised and spent for political purposes.

Rhode Island

Introduced on March 1, 2012 by Senator M. Teresa Paiva Weed et al., S 2656 passed the Senate on April 25 and the House on May 15, and Governor Lincoln Chafee signed it on May 21. Introduced on March 6, 2012 by Representative Gordon Fox et al., H 7899 passed the House on May 8 and the Senate on May 24, and Governor Lincoln Chafee signed it on May 30. Together they called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and related cases and to permit federal and state governments to regulate and restrict independent political expenditures by corporations and wealthy individuals.

Vermont

Introduced on January 21, 2011 by Senator Virginia “Ginny” Lyons [Chittenden] et al., J.R.S.11 passed the Senate on April 12 and the House on April 19. It disagreed with the “money is speech” holdings in Buckley and Citizens United and urged the adoption of the S.J.Res. 29 constitutional amendment in the US Congress, to provide that money is not speech and corporations are not persons under the Constitution, and to affirm natural persons’ constitutional rights.

West Virginia

Introduced on February 19, 2013 by Delegate Meshea Poore et al., HR 9 passed the House on March 28. It called for a constitutional amendment to establish that corporations and unions to the constitutional rights and protections of natural persons, and to assure the power of federal, state, and local governments to limit, regulate, and require disclosure of all money spent to influence elections. Introduced on March 5, 2013 by Senator Herb Snyder et al., SR 24 passed the Senate on April 10. It called for a constitutional amendment to address Citizens United, using language nearly identical to HR 9.

For information about municipal resolutions and pending state resolutions, click here.

Organizations that have joined together as “United for the People” are listed here.