Spring Break
The gay marriage question
State voters to decide on Constitutional Convention
Eric Walsh
Issue date: 11/3/08 Section: Election Special
"Even if the people vote 'yes' for the convention, how it will be handled is all up to the current legislators," said Av Harris, communications director for Connecticut Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz. According to Harris, Bysiewicz does not support the convention, but she is not actively campaigning against it.
Harris explained that, if voters decide on a convention, the members attending the convention are selected by at least a two-thirds vote from both houses of the General Assembly - the state's legislative branch. He suggested that the convention could be "stacked" with members who reflect the General Assembly - which, as a whole, is Democratic and fairly sympathetic to same-sex issues. Also, any amendment that does result from the convention would still need voter approval before becoming part of the constitution.
While it may seem like a long-shot for this process to work favorably for opponents of gay marriage, voting for the convention could lead to an alternative - and simpler - way of adding amendments to the constitution.
A number of advocacy groups, in addition to those opposing gay marriage, see the convention as a prime opportunity to propose a specific amendment that would make the passage of future amendments easier.
The amendment they seek would be one to allow for direct ballot initiatives. Initiative and referendum, as it is commonly called, is a method currently used in 31 states. Connecticut is not one of them. By allowing direct initiative, Connecticut citizens would be able to petition issues, and with enough support, get them on the ballot.
"Ballot initiatives provide citizens with an alternate form of lawmaking," said Richard S. Kay, a professor at the UConn School of Law. "But when taken to the excess, it can be a failing system."
State Sen. Donald E. Williams, Jr., chairman of the Legislative Management Committee, said he opposes a constitutional convention for this very reason.
Harris explained that, if voters decide on a convention, the members attending the convention are selected by at least a two-thirds vote from both houses of the General Assembly - the state's legislative branch. He suggested that the convention could be "stacked" with members who reflect the General Assembly - which, as a whole, is Democratic and fairly sympathetic to same-sex issues. Also, any amendment that does result from the convention would still need voter approval before becoming part of the constitution.
While it may seem like a long-shot for this process to work favorably for opponents of gay marriage, voting for the convention could lead to an alternative - and simpler - way of adding amendments to the constitution.
A number of advocacy groups, in addition to those opposing gay marriage, see the convention as a prime opportunity to propose a specific amendment that would make the passage of future amendments easier.
The amendment they seek would be one to allow for direct ballot initiatives. Initiative and referendum, as it is commonly called, is a method currently used in 31 states. Connecticut is not one of them. By allowing direct initiative, Connecticut citizens would be able to petition issues, and with enough support, get them on the ballot.
"Ballot initiatives provide citizens with an alternate form of lawmaking," said Richard S. Kay, a professor at the UConn School of Law. "But when taken to the excess, it can be a failing system."
State Sen. Donald E. Williams, Jr., chairman of the Legislative Management Committee, said he opposes a constitutional convention for this very reason.
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