A referendum on reducing the term length of Parliament from five to four years was held in the Cook Islands on 16 June 1999.[1] The proposal would amend article 37 of the constitution, which at the time read "The Queen's Representative shall dissolve Parliament at the expiration of 5 years from the date of the last preceding general election, if it has not sooner been dissolved."[1] The change was approved by 64.5% of voters, but this was below the two-thirds majority required to modify the constitution.[1] A second referendum in 2004 was passed by the majority required.[2]
