Arizona Constitution Practice Test

What vote is required to convict an official in an impeachment trial in Arizona?

1. Simple majority

2. 2/3 vote

3. Unanimous vote

4. Absolute majority

The correct answer is: 2/3 vote

In Arizona, the Constitution specifies that a 2/3 vote is required to convict an official in an impeachment trial. This high threshold is designed to ensure that a significant consensus exists before removing an official from office, reflecting the gravity and seriousness of impeachment proceedings. A simple majority would not suffice, as it implies that just over half of the members would be enough to decide such a critical matter, which could lead to instability or misuse of the impeachment process. An absolute majority typically refers to more than half of the votes cast and might not encapsulate the required level of agreement in all scenarios. Unanimous consent is unrealistic in most legislative settings, as it demands complete agreement among all voting members, which is rare and not practical for such proceedings. The requirement of a 2/3 vote thus serves to protect public officials from hasty decisions and ensures that impeachment is reserved for serious misconduct.