Our Rhode Island constitution, Article 14 Section 2, states that every 10 years, voters must be asked, “Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the Constitution?” This Nov. 5, Rhode Island voters will decide that. As a former Rhode Island state representative, I have had the honor of serving on both the 2014 and 2024 bipartisan commissions that must be appointed to assemble information that might be addressed by a constitutional convention.

These are my reasons for voting NO. 

There are two ways to amend our state constitution. First, the General Assembly puts a question on the ballot for the voters to approve, such as the separation of powers amendment approved in 2004 removing legislators from commissions like the Coastal Resources Management Council, and the 2006 amendment restoring voting rights to those on parole and probation.

The second is holding a constitutional convention. Seventy-five delegates, one from each House district, are elected. They set their own agenda, debate with little public input and decide on policy issues for the voters to change. These delegates are not held accountable like your elected state senator and representative. It is a unicameral body without any checks and balances. The convention delegates could propose sweeping changes that would undermine women’s reproductive rights, workers’ rights and civil rights for all Rhode Islanders. And they did that in 1986. 

Any policy issue deserves to be vetted in public hearings, debated at the State House, discussed in local coffee shops and analyzed by the local news media. More worrisome is that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that there is no limit on how much money outside interests can spend on a special interest campaign. This means out-of-state money will pour into the state to influence voters on how to vote. Voters should have access to the merits of an issue through debate and not the influx of special interest money.

Then there is the cost. Taxpayers foot the bill for a ConCon, and there are no rules on how long it should last. Where will they meet? The temporarily elected delegates cannot meet at the State House or use any state staff. The state will have to pay to rent a venue, cater food daily, and pay the delegates’ expenses, with no end date for the convention.

1986 was the last year any state constitutional convention was held in this country, and it was in Rhode Island. It cost Rhode Island state taxpayers $891,000 in 1986. A single-family home in Rhode Island 40 years ago cost $130,000. The House of Representatives fiscal office estimates that now it would cost taxpayers $5 million to $6 million to hold a constitutional convention. That money would be better used to support our local cities and towns.

Rhode Islanders have seen a lot of gains in the past 15 years with marriage equality, protection of women’s reproductive rights, workers’ rights and civil rights. Our state constitution is not for sale. Vote NO on Question 1.

Deborah Ruggiero, a 14-year state representative for District 74 (Jamestown/Middletown), served on the 2014 and 2024 bipartisan constitutional convention commissions.