The Rhode Island State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse
Information on Rhode Island's constitutionally mandated Nov. 5, 2024 constitutional convention referendum, including news, opinion, and historyAlert: The graphics on this web page have been buggy in that they only intermittently display, which makes the page visually unappealing when they don’t display. Even if the graphics don’t display on this page, they will display in a new screen when their empty box is clicked. I am working to fix this bug.
–J.H. Snider
Constitutional conventions. — 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.
Convention Poll
How much have you heard about the constitutional convention ballot question?
Source: Ocean State Poll, July 18, 2024.
J.H. Snider Note: The two findings I found most interesting are that: 1) only 19% of Rhode Islanders knew a lot or some about the constitutional convention ballot question, and 2) those without a college education were more than twice (16%) than those with some college (7%), college graduate (5%), or graduate school (3%) to say that they knew a lot about this question. Ironically, the more education one had, the less likely one was to say they knew a lot. My personal experience is that even the vast majority of PhDs in political science know very little about the reasons for and history of this type of question.
Government Milestones
November 5, 2024. The referendum on whether to convene a constitutional convention.
July 30, 2024. Second meeting of the Rhode Island constitutional convention preparatory commission. The meeting’s agenda can be found here.
July 24, 2024. Tentative date for the first meeting of the Rhode Island constitutional convention preparatory commission. Via a General Assembly member’s office, this date was confirmed, and the meeting’s agenda is here. No public testimony will be taken at this meeting. Information on all Rhode Island state commission can be found here. This meeting lasted all of 12 minutes. Ten of 12 commissioners showed up, they elected two co-chairs of the commission, and scheduled their next meeting for July 30 at 11:00 am. A video of the meeting can be found here.
June 13, 2024. Rhode Island’s Legislature passes both the constitutional convention call and preparatory commission resolutions.
June 4, 2024. H 8326, legislation introduced into the Rhode Island General Assembly: “JOINT RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING QUESTION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE
STATE AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION IN 2024I: “SHALL THERE BE A CONVENTION TO AMEND OR REVISE THE CONSTITUTION?”” Its legislative history and current status can be found here; type in 8326 in the bills field and then click on “enter.” The companion Senate bill is S 3137.
May 30, 2024. H 8324, legislation introduced in Rhode Island’s General Assembly: “JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR A BI-PARTISAN PREPARATORY COMMISSION TO ASSEMBLE INFORMATION ON CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS IN PREPARATION FOR A VOTE BY THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS ON THE HOLDING OF A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE XIV SECTION.” Its legislative history and current status can be found here; type in 8324 in the bills field and then click on “enter.” The companion Senate bill is S 3147. The press release can be found here.
Tentative Government Milestones Based on 2014 Precedent
November 5, 2024. The referendum on whether to convene a constitutional convention.
October 1, 2024. Based on the last convention referendum in 2014, the date the Secretary of State is expected to announce the release of the 2024 Voter Information Handbook.
September 3, 2024. Based on the last convention referendum in 2014, the date Rhode Island’s constitutionally mandated Bi-Partisan Preparatory Commission is expected to release its Report.
August 26, 2024. Based on the last convention referendum in 2014, the expected date of the fifth and final meeting of the Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission.
August 25, 2024. Based on the last convention referendum in 2014, the Secretary of State’s expected deadline for the the Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission Report to provide it with its report so it can be incorporated in the Voter Information Handbook.
August 21, 2024. Based on the last convention referendum in 2014, the expected date of the Fourth meeting of the Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission.
August 19, 2024. Based on the last convention referendum in 2014, the expected date of the Third meeting of the Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission.
August, 7, 2024. Based on the last convention referendum in 2014, the expected date of the second meeting and first public hearing of the Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission.
July 31, 2024. Based on the last convention referendum in 2014, the expected date of the first meeting of the Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission to Assemble Information on Constitutional Convention Questions in Preparation for a Vote by the Qualified Electors on the Holding of a Constitutional Convention in Accordance with Article XIV, Section 2 of the Rhode Island Constitution.
July 30, 2024. In 2014, the Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission was to report its findings to the public by July 30. With no adverse consequences, the deadline was not met.
July 29, 2024. Based on the last convention referendum in 2014, the date the Rhode Island General Assembly is expected to post on its website the names of the remaining two Bi-Partisan Preparatory Commission members and post the public notice of its first public meeting (on July 31). The law dictates that 48 hours public notice is necessary before holding such a public meeting.
July 24, 2024. Based on the last convention referendum in 2014, the date the Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission is expected to post on its website the first 10 of 12 members appointed to the Bi-Partisan Preparatory Commission.
July 10, 2024. Based on the last convention referendum in 2014, the date campaign finance reports are due to the Rhode Island Board of Elections.
Constitutionally Required General Assembly Resolutions in 2014
Note: Rhode Island’s Constitution leaves the specific dates of the resolutions to the General Assembly’s discretion.
June 30, 2014. Joint Resolution 8061 signed by the Governor.
June 23, 2014. Joint Resolution 2537 signed by the Governor.
June 11, 2014. Joint Resolutions 2538, 8060 and 8061 passed by the General Assembly.
June 18, 2014. Joint Resolutions 2538 and 8060 signed by the Governor.
April 29, 2014. Hearing to consider proposed constitutional amendments that could serve as the basis of the Preparatory Commission.
April 16, 2014. Joint Resolution 8061 (creating a bipartisan preparatory commission) introduced in the Rhode Island House.
February 27, 2014. Joint Resolutions 2537 (creating a bipartisan preparatory commission) and 2538 (placing the constitutional convention referendum on the ballot) introduced in the Rhode Island Senate.
Count down to polls closing
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2024 Preparatory Commission Cycle
Op-Eds
Snider, J.H., Legislature Subverting State’s ConCon Process, Providence Journal, June 23, 2024. A copy of the article as published in the print edition can be found here.
Snider, J.H., and Gary Sasse, It’s past time for RI to prep for Nov. 5 constitutional convention, Providence Journal, May 12, 2024. A copy of the article as published in the print edition can be found here.
Letter
Conley, Patrick, Time is running out, Providence Journal, May 18, 2024. [J.H. Snider Note: The author drafted the periodic constitutional convention referendum as a delegate at Rhode Island’s 1973 constitutional convention.]
Time is running out
“As the drafter and principal sponsor in the 1973 Constitutional Convention of present Article XIV of the Rhode Island Constitution that mandates periodic 10-year referenda to allow the voters to decide whether or not there exists a need to review or revise our state’s basic law, I strongly concur with the opinion essay by J.H. Snider and Gary Sasse (“Give priority to prep for constitutional convention,” Commentary, May 12) regarding not only the need but also the constitutional obligation for its General Assembly to create a non-partisan citizens preparatory commission with an expert research staff.
Time is running out for such a required commission to present a meaningful report to the voters ahead of this November’s periodic referendum. Semper Paratus.”
–Patrick T. Conley, Former Delegate,
1973 Constitutional Convention
“It’s disappointing to see that [in] a state rich in colleges and universities, including a law school, there isn’t an actual expert in constitutional law on the commission.”
2014 Preparatory Commission Cycle
RhodeIslandConCon.Info Blog Coverage
News Coverage
Morse, Carroll Andrew, Interview with Steve Frias, on the Work of the Constitutional Convention Preparatory Commission, Anchor Rising & The Ocean State Current, September 3, 2014.
Edgar, Randall, Committee issues report on possible topics, cost for RI Constitutional Convention, Providence Journal, August 25, 2014. Broken link.
Edgar, Randall, Those who support, oppose Rhode Island Constitutional Convention air views, Providence Journal, August 22, 2014.
Bogdan, Jennifer, Agenda for possible Constitutional Convention starts to take shape, Providence Journal, August 8, 2014. Broken link.
Bogdan, Jennifer, Constitutional Convention Commission To Host Public Meetings Throughout Rhode Island, Providence Journal, August 1, 2014.
Op-Eds
Snider, J.H. and and Beverly Clay, R.I.’s poor preparation for convention, Providence Journal, August 2, 2014.
2014 Voter Information Handbook
RhodeIslandConCon.Info Blog Post
The Master Puppeteers Behind R.I.’s 2014 Voter Information Handbook, Oct. 11, 2014.
Op-Eds
R.I. handbook shows blatant bias, Providence Journal, Sept. 25, 2014.
Rhode Island Con-Con Histories
- Coleman, Peter J. 1963. The Transformation of Rhode Island 1790-1860. Brown University Press.
- Conley, Patrick T. 1977. Democracy in Decline : Rhode Island’s Constitutional Development, 1776-1841. Rhode Island Historical Society.
- ———. 2002. Rhode Island in Rhetoric and Reflection: Public Addresses and Essays. First Edition. East Providence: Rhode Island Publications Society.
- Conley, Patrick T., and Robert G. Flanders Jr. 2011. The Rhode Island State Constitution. Oxford University Press.
- Cornwell, Elmer E., and Jay S. Goodman. 1969. The Politics of the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention. National Municipal League.
- Dennison, George M. 1976. The Dorr War: Republicanism on Trial, 1831-1861. Lexington University Press.
- H. Philip West. 2014. Secrets and Scandals Reforming Rhode Island, 1986-2006. H. Philip West Jr.
- Moakley, Maureen, and Elmer E. Cornwell. 2001. Rhode Island Politics and Government. U of Nebraska Press.
- Oline Carmical, Jr. 2012. “Constitution Day: Reflections by Respected Scholars.” Journal of Southern History 78 (3): 700–702.
- Phillips Memorial Library. 1986. “The Rhode Island Constitutional Convention of 1986; 1984-1987.” Providence College.
- Raven, Rory. 2010. The Dorr War: Treason, Rebellion & the Fight for Reform in Rhode Island. Charleston, SC: The History Press.
See also https://rhodeisland.concon.info/ under its history menu.
Democratic leaders, who have blocked the creation of an inspector general for at least 14 years, held firm, denying the amendment on a 61-to-11 vote.
Rep. Evan Shanley, a Warwick Democrat, suggested an inspector general is an “excellent” idea, but one that is better addressed in a Constitutional Convention than in the budget.
Sen. Sam Zurier is eying a prospective convention to settle debate over alternative voting methods.
Following his leadership of a Senate panel tasked with studying various voting options, Zurier, a Providence Democrat, pitched a legislative reform that would have removed the constitutional provision for plurality voting. His bill, along with a separate proposal by fellow Providence Democratic Rep. Rebecca Kislak to offer ranked-choice voting in presidential preference primaries, both failed to advance beyond committee this year.
Providence Journal Explainer from 2014
(J.H. Snider Note: This is a he-said, she-said type of explainer with no attempt to evaluate the arguments of the yes and no sides. That’s a serious journalistic failing if, as the New York Times and the Washington Post have come to believe, both-siderism is inadequate for journalistic objectivity.)