Constitutional Convention?

[hauckeye]

My husband says he's heard that a number of states have voted for a constitutional convention and it would be held if 2/3 of the states vote in favor. Has anyone heard about this? He says he got an alert from Common Cause that Wyoming was the latest state to vote in favor. This would be very concerning if it happens.

[Big Blue Marble]

1. We need to elect more Democrats to the statehouses.

And we need to do it fast.

[ymetca]

2. Yeah, it's all Koch Bros, ALEC, corporate takeover crapola

wanting to foist a "balanced budget" amendment to the Federal Constitution.

The quickest way to turn us into a Third World Nation, with lots of cheap labor.

You know, "making American great again".

[Angry Dragon]

3. Gov Abbott of Texas is calling for one

[PoliticAverse]

4. CNN article on the issue from November...

http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/22/politics/constitutional-convention-explainer/index.html

[elleng]

5. Arkansas voted for a federal constitutional convention to ban marriage equality.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141716763

[haele]

6. A Heterosexual only "Marriage Recognition" constitutional convention is being floated...

I do know the Arkansas House has pushed a bill through putting a vote on the ballot. Probably a few other state houses are considering the same.

But no state has actually yet held an actual vote on it - and the public ballot is required for something like this in most states. That's how they kept the ERA from getting approved...

I s'pose there's also an Anti-Abortion and a "Right to Religious Convictions in Public" constitutional convention also being considered, but again, no state has voted on it.
The problem I see is that a lot of Reich Wing States are going to try to use Constitutional votes like this as a Lost Souls GOTV effort to try and keep their majorities to continue to bleed their constituents into submission.

So again, the Dems really need to get their ground game together for 2018...

Haele

[titaniumsalute]

7. You can only amend the Constitution two ways

A. Congress proposes an amendment and 2/3rds of the House AND Senate must pass that. That means 287 Reps (Republicans I think have 241 or close.) That also includes 66 Senators. Republicans have 52. So not much worry there.

B. If the US States decide to call a Constitutional Convention there must be 2/3rds States legislatures to call for the vote. That is 33 states. HOWEVER, to ratify that means 38 states MUST approve. Aint gonna happen.

Could it ever happen? Yes if the Dems don't get their shit together on a local/state level. All we need to do is get a few more Govs back and we are fine in 2018.

[WhiteTara]

8. This was announced during the RNC convention

last summer. Because no one thought Cheeto would win, there was NO press coverage of this nightmare. They have an alternate constitution all lined up and we won't like it.

[Demsrule86]

9. You could google this...and of course it is talked about

regularly on rightie radio.

[MedusaX]

10. Only need 4-5 more Repug Gubs

There are enough Rep Governors to call convention but need about 4 -5 more on board -- that would vote with them to ratify anything....

Most are spewing propaganda that on the surface sounds like the purpose is to limit current Federal Gov. authority...
but actually they want to prevent a future "liberal" Fed. Governments Ability to undo all the Conservative Evangelical White National crap that the 45 Klan will put in place...
If they can get all that crap ratified in the constitution it will be the law of the land ad Infinitum......

[Proud Liberal Dem]

11. I've heard of this

and it scares me.

[Foamfollower]

12. There has been an attempt to hold a constitutional convention for a balanced budget amendment.

A large number of states have passed resolutions for this since the 80's.

Constitutionally, it is most likely the legislation passed must be identical in each state and that 34 states will need to pass that identical legislation in order for an Article V Constitutional Convention to be called.

So far, there is no identical language passed by any states.