Nevada's 1864 constitution, as amended (131 times by January 2003), continues to govern the state. In 2002 voters gave final approval to an amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The state legislature consists of a senate with 21 members, each elected to a four-year term, and a house of representatives with 42 members, each serving two years. Legislative sessions are held in odd-numbered years only, beginning in early January and lasting no more than 60 calendar days. Only the governor may call special sessions, which are indirectly limited to 20 calendar days. Legislators must be qualified voters, at least 21 years old, and should have lived in the state and in their district for at least a year prior to election. The legislative salary was $130 per diem during regular sessions in 2002, unchanged from 1999.
Executive officials elected statewide include the governor and lieutenant governor (who run separately), secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, and comptroller, all of whom serve for four years. The governor is limited to a maximum of two consecutive terms. Candidates for governor must be at least 25 years old and must have been a citizen and resident of the state for at least two years prior to election. In 2002 the governor's salary was $117,000, unchanged from 1999.
Bills approved by the legislature are sent to the governor, who has five days when the legislature is in session (or 10 days if adjourned) to sign or veto it. If the governor does not act within the required time period, the bill automatically becomes law. A two-thirds vote of the elected members of each house is required to override a gubernatorial veto.
Constitutional amendments may be submitted to the voters for ratification if the proposed amendments have received majority votes in each house in two successive sessions or under an initiative procedure calling for petitions signed by 10% of those who voted in the last general election. Legislative amendments need a majority vote; initiative amendments require majorities in two consecutive elections. Voters must be US citizens, at least 18 years old, continuous state residents, and county residents for at least 30 days and precinct residents for at least 10 days prior to election day. Restrictions apply to convicted felons and those declared mentally incompetent by the court.