Breaking Down the Ballot: Should Rhode Island Hold a Constitutional Convention?

The last convention in the state was held in 1986

Early voting for the Rhode Island state primary begins on Aug. 21.
rawpixel.com / Felix
Share
Early voting for the Rhode Island state primary begins on Aug. 21.
rawpixel.com / Felix
Breaking Down the Ballot: Should Rhode Island Hold a Constitutional Convention?
Copy

On Nov. 5, Rhode Island voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on five statewide ballot questions. In the weeks leading up to Election Day, The Public’s Radio will cover each question in depth.

This time, the focus is on Question One: “Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the Rhode Island Constitution?”

The last convention to amend the state constitution occurred in 1986. Proponents from different ends of the political spectrum say voters should be given the opportunity to amend the constitution — but a coalition led by ACLU Rhode Island, unions and women’s advocacy groups fears a convention could threaten civil rights protections.

Giving their perspective on the issue are John Marion, executive director of the nonprofit government watchdog organization Common Cause Rhode Island; and Patrick Anderson, a reporter for The Providence Journal.

This interview was conducted by The Public’s Radio. You can read the story here.

The ‘Rhode Island Responsible’ campaign comes three years after the state legalized the drug
The East Greenwich native cites ‘regular guy’ cred in announcing his run
Researchers at URI launched the Rhode Island Bobcat Project to study the re-emergence of the big cats
The bill would have raised the minimum fine for child labor violations in Massachusetts from $500 to $20,000. Its sponsor, State Rep. Christopher Hendricks, said the legislation was inspired by a series from our reporting chronicling minors who worked in New Bedford’s seafood industry
Richard Miller has owned and operated Miller’s Family Farm in North Attleboro for the last 13 years. He’s expecting this holiday season to be a crowded one for his business
The Rams, 10-2, will host Central Connecticut on Saturday in the first round of the FCS playoffs