Alaska Senate Advances Amendment to Lower Veto Override Threshold

Proposed constitutional change would make it easier to override governor's spending vetoes.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:06am

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The Alaska Senate has advanced a constitutional amendment that would lower the threshold for overriding a governor's vetoes of spending decisions. Currently, it takes three-quarters of lawmakers to override a budget veto, but the proposed amendment would reduce that to the same two-thirds threshold required to override vetoes of policy bills.

Why it matters

This proposed change would shift the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches in Alaska, making it easier for the legislature to override a governor's spending vetoes. It reflects an ongoing debate over the appropriate level of checks and balances in the state's government.

The details

Anchorage Democratic Sen. Matt Claman's resolution passed the Senate along caucus lines, with all 14 members of the bipartisan majority voting for it and the 6 Republican minority members voting against. The amendment would need to pass the House with 27 of 40 votes before appearing on the November ballot. If approved by voters, the new two-thirds threshold for overriding spending vetoes would take effect in 2027 at the start of the next governor's term.

  • The Alaska Senate advanced the constitutional amendment on Tuesday, April 1, 2026.
  • The last time the Alaska Constitution was amended was in 2004.

The players

Matt Claman

An Anchorage Democratic state senator and candidate for governor, who proposed the constitutional amendment to lower the veto override threshold for spending decisions.

Mike Dunleavy

The current governor of Alaska, whose veto of $50 million in public school funding was overridden by the legislature in a special session last August.

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What they’re saying

“The drafters of the Alaska Constitution intended to create a strong executive branch. But the high hurdle to override a veto on spending decisions has undermined the balance of power between the Legislature and the executive.”

— Matt Claman, State Senator

What’s next

If the constitutional amendment passes the Alaska House, it will appear on the November 3rd ballot for voter approval. If approved by a majority of voters, the new two-thirds threshold for overriding spending vetoes would take effect in 2027.

The takeaway

This proposed change to Alaska's constitution reflects an ongoing debate over the appropriate balance of power between the legislative and executive branches in the state. Lowering the threshold for overriding spending vetoes would shift more influence to the legislature, but supporters argue it's necessary to restore the intended checks and balances.