What is a Constitutional Convention? And Why Does it Matter?

Below you will find information about the Constitutional Convention Process in Connecticut. Click to read more about:

What is a Constitutional Convention?
What is the Convention Process?
Why is a Constitutional Convention Important?
What is the current Constitutional Convention controversy?

What is a Constituional Convention?

A Constitutional Convention is a rare opportunity for a select group of people, typically legislators, to gather to review a state's constitution and to consider modifying, adding, or deleting provisions. In Connecticut, there are two ways a Constitutional Convention may be called. The General Assembly may, by a two-thirds vote in each house, provide for the convening of a Convention. Or, every twenty years, the question of whether there should be a Constitutional Convention is automatically placed on the ballot, allowing Connecticut residents the opportunity to have their voices heard on the matter.

Below is the relevant text from the Thirteenth Article of the Constitution of the State of Connecticut:

SEC. 1. The general assembly may, upon roll call, by a yea vote of at least two-thirds of the total membership of each house, provide for the convening of a constitutional convention to amend or revise the constitution of the state not earlier than ten years from the date of convening any prior convention.

SEC. 2. 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 at the general election held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in the even-numbered year next succeeding the expiration of a period of twenty years from the date of convening of the last convention called to revise or amend the constitution of the state, including the Constitutional Convention of 1965, or next succeeding the expiration of a period of twenty years from the date of submission of such a question to all electors of the state, whichever date shall last occur. If a majority of the electors voting on the question shall signify "yes", the general assembly shall provide for such convention as provided in Section 3 of this article.

SEC. 3. In providing for the convening of a constitutional convention to amend or revise the constitution of the state the general assembly shall, upon roll call, by a yea vote of at least two-thirds of the total membership of each house, prescribe by law the manner of selection of the membership of such convention, the date of convening of such convention, which shall be not later than one year from the date of the roll call vote under Section 1 of this article or one year from the date of the election under Section 2 of this article, as the case may be, and the date for final adjournment of such convention.

SEC. 4. Proposals of any constitutional convention to amend or revise the constitution of the state shall be submitted to all the electors of the state not later than two months after final adjournment of the convention, either as a whole or in such parts and with such alternatives as the convention may determine. Any proposal of the convention to amend or revise the constitution of the state submitted to such electors in accordance with this section and approved by a majority of such electors voting on the question shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as a part of this constitution. Such proposals when so approved shall take effect thirty days after the date of the vote thereon unless otherwise provided in the proposal.

What is the Convention Process?

There are two ways a Constitutional Convention may be called in Connecticut. Every twenty years, the Connecticut State Constitution calls for a public vote as to whether a Constitutional Convention should be held. If a majority of voters vote "yes", then a Constitutional Convention process is begun. The second way a Constitutional Convention can be called is through a two-thirds majority vote of the Connecticut State Legislature. If a Convention process is affirmed in either of these manners, then a Constitutional Convention must be convened within one year of the date of the affirmative vote calling for the Convention. In Connecticut, a majority vote of the State Legislature decides the membership of the Constitutional Convention and when the Convention will be convened. If, at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, there are proposals for amendment to the Constitution, those proposals will be presented to the voters in a referendum no later than two months after the conclusion of the Convention. If a majority of voters approve of the proposed change(s) they will become part of the Constitution thirty days after the referendum vote.

Why is a Constitutional Convention Important?

Unlike many other states, Connecticut does not have a public referendum process. This means there is no ordinary way for citizens to have their voices heard on critical constitutional matters. The only opportunity Connecticut residents have a real impact on the state Constitution is a vote every twenty years on whether to hold a Constitutional Convention. This is a rare and unique opportunity to allow voters to contribute to the constitutional process and to advance their values. Because the opportunity is so rare, we must be sure to take full advantage of it.

The Current Constitutional Convention Controversy

Despite legal and constitutional opinion otherwise, the Connecticut Secretary of State has issued an opinion stating that the public vote on the Constitutional Convention should be 2008 instead of 2006. At the Family Institute of Connecticut, we believe it is critical the people have a chance to weigh in on this issue. That is why we are fighting to make sure the Constitutional Convention question is on the ballot this November or in November of 2008.