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'Single subject rule' is a general term for a section present in many state constitutions within the United States of America. It generally specifies that ballot initiatives and legislation can only deal with one main issue. For example, the constitution of Minnesota, Article IV, Section 17, requires that "No law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title.". Its purpose is to avoid complexity in laws to avoid any hidden consequences that legislators or voters may miss when reading the proposed law.
It has been charged this type of section has been misused as a political or judicial measure to slow or nullify ballots or laws. An example of accusation of misuse of this law occurred in Colorado when a former governor made statement against a single subject ruling. [1] The rule can also result in over-narrow questions, that result in no substantial effects. [2]