People of Faith CT

by Greg Smith
Norwich Bulletin Article
October 26, 2008

The idea of citizens being able to propose laws directly to Connecticut voters is either a scary proposition or a liberating one, depending on who you ask.

That proposed system is behind the push by some groups seeking to hold a Constitutional Convention.

The question of whether to hold a convention goes to voters on this year’s election ballot. The state constitution mandates voters be asked every 20 years if they want to hold a Constitutional Convention.

“This is a citizen empowerment issue,” said Matthew M. Daly, chairman of the Constitutional Convention Campaign. “Without question, if we win this campaign it will be because people like the idea of having a statewide referendum mechanism at their disposal to use if they choose to.”

Daly said petitioning referendum items could lead to important issues such as reform in the areas of eminent domain, immigration, property taxes, ethics and term limits.

Those against the idea say that allowing citizens to circumvent elected officials opens the door to special interest groups and leads to a problematic series of laws.

“For us, the bottom line is ballot initiatives in Connecticut would create an open season on women and minority rights,” said Frank O’Gorman, director of the People of Faith Connecticut. “For us it’s a human and civil rights issue.”

He said Daly’s group and others are hoping to push “right-wing agendas” and tamper with laws affecting abortion, immigration and same-sex marriage.

Daly said even with a “yes” vote, direct initiatives have to gain the support of delegates chosen by members of the Constitutional Convention committee.

Norwich business owner Marianne Thibeault leaned against the counter of her Franklin Street store and pointed to a petition half filled with names as an example of why she supports a constitutional convention.

The petition asks the city to hold a referendum to allow citizens to vote on the Norwich budget. It’s local petitions such as these, she said, that allow the average citizen to have a voice.

“It’s only fair,” she said. “This is a Democratic state. People have a right to bring things up.”

She said if people fear new proposed laws they need only look at the number of frivolous laws proposed by legislators.

Constitutional Conventions

The General Assembly called the first Constitutional Convention in 1818.

Another was held in 1902, but it was not until the 1965 Constitutional Convention that the process for calling a convention was set in law.

Today, a Constitutional Convention can be called by a vote of two-thirds of each house of the General Assembly at least 10 years after the last convention.

Alternatively, the General Assembly must call a convention when a majority of voters approve a general election ballot question posed at least 20 years after the last convention or ballot question.

The General Assembly is responsible for choosing the membership and dates for a convention.

Proposed amendments or revisions must be submitted to the electors within two months of the convention’s final adjournment.

If a state Constitutional Convention is convened, voters may propose an amendment to allow initiative petitions, or citizen-sponsored referenda.