The Rhode Island State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse
Information on Rhode Island's constitutionally mandated Nov. 5, 2024 constitutional convention referendum, including news, opinion, and historyEvents
Sept. 17, 2024
Title: Ballot Question 1: Should Rhode Island hold a Constitutional Convention?
Description: This question will be addressed by State Representative Robert E. Craven Sr. and State Senator Dawn Euer,
Co-chairs of the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention Commission.
Location: Community College of Rhode Island, CCRI Knight Campus, Lower Commons
Time: Noon
J.H. Snider Note: It’s odd to have an event with this title when the two speakers have demonstrated that they are staunchly opposed to calling a convention. Ordinarily, an event with this type of title would have advocates for both sides of the question.
July 24 to August 28, 2024
Description: Meetings of the Rhode Island Bi-Partisan Preparatory Commission for the Nov. 5, 2024 constitutional convention referendum. The details on these meetings can be found here as well as on the home page of this website under the “government milestones” section.
Location: Room 135 – State House
May 3, 2024
Description: Letter from Vincent Marzullo, Delegate to Rhode Island’s 1986 Constitutional Convention, to Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, regarding the Rhode Island Constitution’s requirement that the legislature convene a “bi-partisan preparatory commission” prior to the Nov. 5, 2024 vote on whether to call a convention. The Rhode Island Legislature’s leadership and Attorney General are cc’d on the letter.
May 2, 2024
Description: Rhode Island’s Constitution requires that every ten years the question of whether to hold a Constitutional Convention be placed on the ballot for the citizens to decide. There are many reasons for and against opening a convention which will be the focus of the presentations and questions from the audience.
Panelists:
- Attorney Steve Frias, Moderator
- Professor Matthew Ulricksen, Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI)
- Vimala Phongsavnh, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
- Representative June Speakman, District 68
Location: Governor’s Reception Room, 82 Smith StProvidence Rhode Island 02903
Time: 3:00pm to 5:00pm
J.H. Snider Note: In recent years, the League of Women Voters has generally been hostile to calling state constitutional conventions. Planned Parenthood of Southern New England was one of the two key groups that organized the no campaign the last time the convention issue was on the ballot in 2014.