Connecticut Constitutional Convention (2008)

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Connecticut Question 1, a question to determine whether a constitutional convention will be held in Connecticut appeared on the November 2008 Connecticut ballot. Connecticut voters are automatically asked every 20 years whether the state constitution should be revised or amended. The question about a convention last appeared on the ballot in 1986. Voters in 1986 chose not to empanel a constitutional convention.[1],[2]

Article 13, Section 2 of the state constitution reads: "The question "Shall there be a Constitutional Convention to amend or revise the Constitution of the State?" shall be submitted to all the electors of the state." If a majority of those who vote on the question answer "Yes" the legislature will, with a 2/3 majority of both Houses, "prescribe by law the manner of selection of the membership of such convention." Any amendment or revision proposed by the convention be put to a statewide vote, and if approved by a majority of voters become part of the constitution.[3] The ballot question does not specify the agenda for the convention or who goes to it.

Election results

Connecticut Constitutional Convention:
Votes Percentage
Yes 566,649 41%
NO 822,729 59%
Total votes 1,389,378 100%

Results according to The Connecticut Network[4]

Supporters

The support for holding a convention included those interested in bringing the process of initiative & referendum, to the state, as well as a coalition of taxpayer groups. A group, the Connecticut Constitution Convention Campaign, formed to encourage people to vote "yes" on Election Day. Their broader goal is to add initiative & referendum rights to the Connecticut Constitution.[5]

Supporters included:

Opposition

The ballot question was opposed by a coalition called Vote NO Protect Our Constitution. The coalition included 45 organizations, 70 clergy and 900 individuals. Groups included labor, community and civil rights organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, Love Makes a Family, Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), Planned Parenthood, CT Women's Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF), Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and others. [8]

Opponents of a convention included:

  • Attorney General Richard Blumenthal [9]
  • Constitutional scholar Wes Horton [10]
  • League of Women Voters [11]
  • CT Citizen Action Group [12]
  • State Treasurer Denise Nappier [13]

Constitutional History

The last constitutional convention took place in Connecticut in 1965 and yielded the state's current constitution. This replaced the previous 1818 constitution, and has been amended 30 times.[14] Prior to 1818 the state was governed under the Crown issued Charter of 1662.[15]

The last vote on whether to hold a new convention failed in 1986.

State Constitutional Convention Calls

Constitutional convention calls were also on the 2008 ballot in Hawaii and Illinois.

External links

News Links

References

  1. ↑ Coalition pushes for constitutional convention, June 26, 2008
  2. ↑ Giving more power to the people
  3. ↑ "Article 13 of the Connecticut Constitution"
  4. ↑ Connecticut Network: "2008 Election Results"
  5. ↑ Associated Press, "Coalition pushes for constitutional convention", June 26, 2008
  6. ↑ "Newsday", "Rell Says She Supports Direct Initiative", September 26, 2008
  7. ↑ Hartford Courant, "Rally pushes constitutional convention", September 29, 2008
  8. ↑ "CT Vote No", "Endorsements"
  9. ↑ [1]
  10. ↑ [2]
  11. ↑ [3]
  12. ↑ [www.ccag.net]
  13. ↑ [4]
  14. ↑ "Stratford Star", "Voters Could Call Constitutional Convention"
  15. ↑ "Wikipedia", "Connecticut Charter of 1662"
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