Minnesota’s ballot initiative law says that if a voter casts a ballot but does not vote for the specific ballot question, it counts as a “no” vote. The amendment must receive a majority of all votes cast in order for it to pass. In other words, even if the amendment garners more “yes” votes than “no” votes it still may fail if a large number voters skip the question on the ballot but still vote for president, U.S. Senate or local representatives. As Minnesota Public Radio notes, since 1898 when that law took effect, 62 amendments have failed even though they received more “yes” votes than “no” votes.

But, in recent history, voters have still approved nine out of every 10 amendments that have been on the ballot.

Other states, including Hawaii, Tennessee and Utah, have similar rules for constitutional amendments.