The constitutional convention that assembled at St. Paul on 13 July 1857 was marked by such bitter dissension that the Democrats and Republicans had to meet in separate chambers; the final draft was written by a committee of five Democrats and five Republicans and then adopted by a majority of each party, without amendment. Since Democrats and Republicans were also unwilling to sign the same piece of paper, two separate documents were prepared, one on blue-tinted paper, the other on white. The constitution was ratified by the electorate on 13 October and approved by the US Congress on 11 May 1858. An amendment restructuring the constitution for easy reference and simplifying its language was approved in 1974; for purposes of constitutional law, however, the original document (incorporating numerous other amendments) remains authoritative. Through January 2003 there were 118 amendments.
As reapportioned by court order after the 1970 census, the Minnesota legislature consists of a 67-member senate and a 134-member house of representatives. Legislative sessions begin in January and are limited to 120 legislative days or to the first Monday after the 3rd Saturday in May. Sessions are to be held in only odd-numbered years, but the legislature may divide and meet in even-numbered years as well. Only the governor may call for special sessions. Senators serve four years and representatives two, at annual salaries of $31,140 as of 2002, unchanged from 1999. Legislators must be at least 18 years old, qualified voters, and must have resided in the state for one year and in the legislative district for six months preceding election.
The governor and lieutenant governor are jointly elected for four-year terms; both must be US citizens at least 25 years old, and must have been residents of Minnesota for a year before election. Other constitutional officers are the secretary of state, auditor, treasurer (will be abolished, as of 2003), and attorney general, all serving for four years. Numerous other officials are appointed by the governor, among them the commissioners of government departments and many heads and members of independent agencies. In 2002 the governor's salary was $120,303, unchanged from 1999.
Once a bill is passed by a majority of both houses, the governor may sign it, veto it in whole or in part, or pocket-veto it by failing to act within 14 days of adjournment. (When the legislature is in session, however, a bill becomes law if the governor fails to act on it within three days.) A two-thirds vote of the members of both houses overrides a veto. Constitutional amendments require the approval of a majority of both houses of the legislature and are subject to ratification by the electorate. Those voting in state elections must be at least 18 years old, US citizens, and state residents for at least 20 days prior to election day. Restrictions apply to convicted felons and those declared mentally incompetent by the court.