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Rhode Island Question 1, Constitutional Convention Question (2024)
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U.S. Senate • U.S. House • State Senate • State House • State ballot measures • Local ballot measures • All other local • How to run for office |
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| Rhode Island Question 1 | |
|---|---|
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| Election date November 5, 2024 | |
| Topic Constitutional conventions | |
| Status | |
| Type Automatic referral | Origin Dictated by law |
Rhode Island Question 1, the Constitutional Convention Question, was on the ballot in Rhode Island as an automatic ballot referral on November 5, 2024. The ballot measure was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported holding a state constitutional convention. |
A "no" vote opposed holding a state constitutional convention. |
Election results
|
Rhode Island Question 1 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 173,459 | 37.60% | ||
|
|
287,906 | 62.40% | ||
Overview
What is a constitutional convention?
A constitutional convention is a gathering where delegates propose amendments and changes to the state constitution. A constitutional convention question can be automatically scheduled to be put on the ballot for voters to decide, a state legislature can vote to put the question to voters, or citizens can file an initiative to place it on the ballot.
As of 2023, 44 states had a process of deciding on a constitutional convention.
In 14 states, constitutional convention questions are automatically referred to the ballot after a certain number of years. For these states, there is no requirement for a state legislature to vote to place the question on the ballot. For Alaska, Iowa, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Hawaii, the constitutional convention question is referred to the ballot every 10 years. For Michigan, it is 16 years. For Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New York, Ohio, and Oklahoma, a question is placed on the ballot every 20 years.
Twenty-seven states allow their legislature to vote to put a question for a constitutional convention on the ballot. Some of these states require a majority vote in their legislature, while others require a supermajority vote of three-fifths (60%) or two-thirds (66.67%).
Five states—Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, South Dakota, and Virginia—allow for a supermajority legislative vote without voter approval, and four states—Florida, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota—also have a petition process for citizens to file an initiative to petition for a constitutional convention question on the ballot.
Eight states—Arkansas, Indiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Vermont—do not provide for constitutional conventions.[1]
How did the question get on the ballot?
In Rhode Island, a state constitutional convention question is provided to voters at least 10 years after the prior question. Rhode Islanders last addressed a constitutional convention question, Question 3, in 2014. Voters rejected the question by a vote of 55.1% opposing to 44.9% supporting the convention.
A constitutional convention consists of elected delegates that propose changes to the state's constitution. Any proposed changes, including a rewritten constitution, must be approved by voters.
Has Rhode Island previously had a constitutional convention?
Between 1973 and 2014, Rhode Island has five constitutional convention questions on the ballot. Voters approved two constitutional convention questions and defeated three of them. Rhode Island voters approved constitutional convention questions in 1973 and 1984.
Rhode Islanders last approved a constitutional convention question in 1984 by a vote of 53.82% to 46.18%. Rhode Island convened the convention in 1986. Delegates to the convention considered 322 resolutions, of which 24 resolutions were sent to voters in the form of 14 ballot questions. Eleven were approved, and three were defeated.[2]
Text of measure
Ballot title
The official ballot title was as follows:[3]
| “ |
Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the Constitution?[4] |
” |
Readability score
- See also: Ballot measure readability scores, 2024
Using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) formulas, Ballotpedia scored the readability of the ballot title for this measure. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. The state legislature wrote the ballot language for this measure.
The FKGL for the ballot title is grade level 8, and the FRE is 57. The word count for the ballot title is 11.
Support
Ballotpedia did not locate a campaign in support of the ballot measure.
Opposition
RI Citizens for Responsible Government led the campaign opposing Question 1.[5]
Ballotpedia did not locate arguments in opposition to the ballot measure.
Campaign finance
RI Citizens for Responsible Government was registered to oppose the ballot measure.[6]
| Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Oppose | $195,350.00 | $0.00 | $195,350.00 | $174,989.63 | $174,989.63 |
| Total | $195,350.00 | $0.00 | $195,350.00 | $174,989.63 | $174,989.63 |
Opposition
The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in opposition to the measure.[6]
| Committees in opposition to Question 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
| RI Citizens for Responsible Government | $195,350.00 | $0.00 | $195,350.00 | $174,989.63 | $174,989.63 |
| Total | $195,350.00 | $0.00 | $195,350.00 | $174,989.63 | $174,989.63 |
Donors
The following were the top donors who contributed to the opposition committees.[6]
| Donor | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| RIFTHP | $25,000.00 | $0.00 | $25,000.00 |
| ACLU of Rhode Island | $20,000.00 | $0.00 | $20,000.00 |
| National Education Association | $15,000.00 | $0.00 | $15,000.00 |
| District 1199 | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $10,000.00 |
| IBEW LOCAL 2323 | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $10,000.00 |
| NEARI PACE | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $10,000.00 |
| RI Council 94 AFSCME | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $10,000.00 |
| Teamsters LU | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $10,000.00 |
| UFCW Local 328 | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $10,000.00 |
Methodology
To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information, click here.
Background
State constitutional conventions
- See also: State constitutional conventions
A state constitutional convention is a gathering of elected delegates who propose revisions and amendments to a state constitution. As of 2021, 233 constitutional conventions to deliberate on state-level constitutions have been held in the United States.
As of 2022, 42 states had rules that govern how, in their state, a constitutional convention can be called. In 14 states, the question of whether to hold a constitutional convention is automatically referred to a statewide ballot without any requirement for a vote of the state Legislature to place the question on the ballot. States that have scheduled automatic ballot referrals for constitutional convention questions include Alaska (2022), Missouri (2022), New Hampshire (2022), Rhode Island (2024), Michigan (2026), Connecticut (2028), Hawaii (2028), Illinois (2028), Iowa (2030), Maryland (2030), Montana (2030), Alaska (2032), New Hampshire (2032), and Ohio (2032).
Past votes on Rhode Island Constitutional Convention Questions
- See also: List of Rhode Island ballot measures
The question as to whether to hold a constitutional convention is automatically placed on the statewide general election ballot every ten years. This requirement was placed into the Rhode Island Constitution at a convention held in 1973.[7] The Rhode Island State Legislature can place the question about having a convention on the statewide ballot by a majority vote; if it does, the timing of the automatic referrals will change to be ten years from the last time the state legislature put the question on the ballot rather than ten years from the last automatic referral of the question.[8] Rhode Island has a unique provision about elections on the constitutional convention question. It is, "Prior to a vote by the qualified electors on the holding of a convention, the general assembly, or the governor if the general assembly fails to act, shall provide for a bi-partisan preparatory commission to assemble information on constitutional questions for the electors." This means that before the vote is held, a preparatory commission must be created if the state's voters choose to hold one. Voters in 2014 rejected the idea of a convention with 55% of voters opposed.
Between 1973 and 2014, Rhode Island voters approved two constitutional convention questions and defeated three. The following chart lists the constitutional convention questions that appeared on Rhode Island ballots:
| Year | Title | Yes vote | No vote | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Proposal 5 | 61.6% | 38.3% | Approved |
| 1984 | Proposal 1 | 53.82% | 46.18% | Approved |
| 1994 | Proposal 4 | 40.5% | 59.5% | Defeated |
| 2004 | Question 2 | 48% | 52% | Defeated |
| 2014 | Question 3 | 44.9% | 55.1% | Defeated |
Rhode Island Proposal 1 (1984)
Rhode Islanders last approved a constitutional convention question in 1984 by a vote of 53.82% to 46.18%. Rhode Island convened the convention in 1986. Delegates to the convention considered 322 resolutions, of which 24 resolutions were sent to voters in the form of 14 ballot questions. Eleven were approved, and three were defeated.[9]
Automatic/mandatory ballot referrals
In 14 states, the question of whether to hold a constitutional convention is automatically referred to a statewide ballot without any requirement for a vote of the state legislature to place the question on the ballot. One of the fourteen states with a mandatory requirement is Oklahoma, though state officials have declined to place the mandatory measure on the ballot since 1970.[10]
| State | Question interval | Last question on ballot | Next question on ballot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Every 10 years | 2022 | 2032 |
| Iowa | Every 10 years | 2020 | 2030 |
| New Hampshire | Every 10 years | 2022 | 2032 |
| Rhode Island | Every 10 years | 2024 | 2034 |
| Hawaii | Every 10 years | 2018 | 2028 |
| Michigan | Every 16 years | 2010 | 2026 |
| Connecticut | Every 20 years | 2008 | 2028 |
| Illinois | Every 20 years | 2008 | 2028 |
| Maryland | Every 20 years | 2010 | 2030 |
| Missouri | Every 20 years | 2022 | 2042 |
| Montana | Every 20 years | 2010 | 2030 |
| New York | Every 20 years | 2017 | 2037 |
| Ohio | Every 20 years | 2012 | 2032 |
| Oklahoma | Every 20 years | 1970 | N/A |
Constitutional convention questions, 2000-2022
From 2000 to 2022, 22 constitutional convention questions appeared on the statewide ballot in 13 states. All of the measures were defeated. The average vote was 64.44% opposed to 35.03% in favor. The question that came closest to being approved was in New Hampshire in 2002, which was defeated by a vote of 49.13% in favor to 50.87% opposed.
| State | Year | Yes (%) | No (%) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 2000 | 32.42% | 67.58% | |
| Alaska | 2002 | 28.36% | 71.64% | |
| Missouri | 2002 | 34.55% | 65.45% | |
| New Hampshire | 2002 | 49.13% | 50.87% | |
| Rhode Island | 2004 | 48.00% | 52.00% | |
| Connecticut | 2008 | 40.60% | 59.40% | |
| Hawaii | 2008 | 35.00% | 65.00% | |
| Illinois | 2008 | 32.77% | 67.23% | |
| Iowa | 2010 | 32.84% | 67.16% | |
| Maryland | 2010 | 48.10% | 40.27% | |
| Michigan | 2010 | 33.39% | 66.60% | |
| Montana | 2010 | 41.49% | 58.51% | |
| Ohio | 2012 | 31.92% | 68.08% | |
| New Hampshire | 2012 | 35.96% | 64.04% | |
| Alaska | 2012 | 33.41% | 66.59% | |
| Rhode Island | 2014 | 44.90% | 55.10% | |
| New York | 2017 | 16.97% | 83.03% | |
| Hawaii | 2018 | 25.57% | 74.43% | |
| Iowa | 2020 | 29.58% | 70.42% | |
| Alaska | 2022 | 29.52% | 70.48% | |
| Missouri | 2022 | 32.30% | 67.70% | |
| New Hampshire | 2022 | 33.89% | 66.11% |
Path to the ballot
- See also: State constitutional conventions
In Rhode Island, a state constitutional convention question is provided to voters at least 10 years after the prior question. Rhode Islanders addressed a constitutional convention question, Question 3, in 2014. Voters rejected the question.
Article XIV, Section 2 of the Rhode Island Constitution governs the constitutional convention question. The following is Section 2 of Article XIV:
Note: Hover over the text and scroll to see the full text.
The general assembly, by a vote of a majority of the members elected to each house, may at any general election submit the question, "Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the constitution?" to the qualified electors of the state. If the question be not submitted to the people at some time during any period of ten years, the secretary of state shall submit it at the next general election following said period. Prior to a vote by the qualified electors on the holding of a convention, the general assembly, or the governor if the general assembly fails to act, shall provide for a bi-partisan preparatory commission to assemble information on constitutional questions for the electors. If a majority of the electors voting at such election on said question shall vote to hold a convention, the general assembly at its next session shall provide by law for the election of delegates to such convention. The number of delegates shall be equal to the number of members of the house of representatives and shall be apportioned in the same manner as the members of the house of representatives. No revision or amendment of this constitution agreed upon by such convention shall take effect until the same has been submitted to the electors and approved by a majority of those voting thereon.[4]
How to cast a vote
- See also: Voting in Rhode Island
See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Rhode Island.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ History of Indiana's Constitution
- ↑ Rhode Island Secretary of State, "State Constitutional Convention records, 1986," accessed December 9, 2022
- ↑ Rhode Island Constitution, "Article XIV," accessed March 23, 2022
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Reject Question 1, "Homepage," accessed July 25, 2024
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 RI Campaign Finance, "Campaign Finance Filings," accessed October 10, 2024
- ↑ Rhode Island ACLU, "Some Some Pesky Facts About The 1986 Constitutional Convention"; retrieved August 21, 2016
- ↑ Rhode Island constitutional convention provisions
- ↑ Rhode Island Secretary of State, "State Constitutional Convention records, 1986," accessed December 9, 2022
- ↑ Montana Law Review, "The Political Dynamics of Mandatory State Constitutional Convention Referendums: Lessons from the 2000s Regarding Obstacles and Pathways to their Passage", Volume 71, Issue 2, Summer 2010; retrieved August 21, 2016
- ↑ Rhode Island Department of State, "Election Day Voting Hours," accessed September 24, 2024
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Rhode Island Department of State, "Register to Vote," accessed April 18, 2023
- ↑ Providence Journal, “Raimondo signs automatic voter registration bill into law,” August 1, 2017
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
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