Opponents to constitutional convention ramp up campaign spending plan

Who benefits from a state Constitutional Convention?

By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Current

Posters urging Rhode Island voters to reject the first question
on the Nov. 5 ballot asking if the state should hold a
constitutional convention hang on the wall at Planned Parenthood
in Providence. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

The coalition organizing a campaign urging voters to reject the once-in-a-decade ballot question asking if Rhode Island should hold a constitutional convention has spent about $12,120, according to filings submitted to the state’s Board of Elections.

The bipartisan preparatory commission for a constitutional convention ballot question will meet Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m. in the first floor commons at the Community College of Rhode Island’s Flanagan campus in Lincoln. The commission will hear public comment as it prepares a report for an information guide to assist voters ahead of the Nov. 5 general election.

The commission will accept written testimony through 4 p.m Friday, Aug. 23, via email at constitutionalconventioncommission@rilegislature.gov. 

Rhode Island Citizens for Responsible Government spent the funds on “media services” by the East Greenwich-based Checkmate Consulting Group founded by Brad Dufault and the late Ray Sullivan, according to its expenditure form submitted July 31. The coalition consisting of 37 labor and civil liberties organizations also received a $5,000 donation from the state’s chapter of the AFL-CIO on July 23.

Coalition Treasurer Jim Parisi told Rhode Island Current the bulk of the expenditure went toward website development, graphic design, and in-house printing.

“It actually doesn’t include a lot of media,” he said. “I think there’s only $1,000 worth of social media placements — and I’m not even sure they’ve started yet.”

Dufault could not immediately respond to a request for comment. Checkmate’s website shows the firm’s constitutional convention advocacy work during the 2014 election includes mailers claiming such a convention “could send women back to the 1950s” by allowing reproductive rights to come under attack by deep pocketed special interests. Delegates at the 1986 convention approved a proposed amendment to restrict abortion, which was overwhelmingly rejected by voters in the November 1986 election.

Checkmate in 2014 also produced an ad featuring an auctioneer selling Rhode Island’s Constitution before a room of wealthy bidders smoking cigars and pouring champagne. 

Members of Rhode Island Citizens for Responsible Government testifying before the state’s bipartisan constitutional convention preparatory commission have warned that outside interest groups could try to influence changes that would restrict civil liberties and labor protections.

Parisi said he anticipates spending more closer to the election. In 2014, the group relied mostly on radio ad placements. But now social media may be the way to go, he said.

“We’ve reviewed what we did 10 years ago, but haven’t made any decisions,” Parisi said. “But we’ll be doing more once we get some more fundraising.”

In addition to the donation from the AFL-CIO, Parisi said the coalition recently received $10,000 from the National Education Association Rhode Island, a statewide teachers union. A spokesperson for the association did not respond to an immediate request for comment.

A convention question typically goes on the ballot in years ending in the number four, but Rhode Island voters have rejected the question each time it has arisen since 1986. Should a majority of Rhode Islanders want to move ahead with a convention, the state would have to set up a special election to select 75 convention delegates to represent each district in the House of Representatives.

Proponents for holding a convention, meanwhile, argue that changing Rhode Island’s governing document gives the public a chance to update how the state operates. 

The 12-member bipartisan commission evaluating the pros and cons of holding a constitutional convention is taking their show on the road Wednesday, Aug. 14. The panel is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. in the first floor commons at the Community College of Rhode Island’s Flanagan campus in Lincoln to hear public testimony.

Commissioners are tasked with gathering public input to prepare a report on the possibilities for what should be included in a voter handbook mailed to all registered voters before the Nov. 5 election. The commission must complete the report by Sept. 1.

After hearing testimony in Lincoln on Wednesday night, the bipartisan commission will again meet at the State House on Wednesday, Aug. 21, and Wednesday, Aug. 28. 

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Rhode Island Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Rhode Island Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janine L. Weisman for questions: info@rhodeislandcurrent.com. Follow Rhode Island Current on Facebook and X.