Hawaii
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Voters in Hawaii will find themselves with a unique opportunity when they vote in November: whether to convene a constitutional convention (ConCon). Hawaii law dictates that this question be posed every ten years. The last time the question appeared on the ballot was in 1998, when voters declined to call a ConCon by a vote of 59.3% no to 34.1% yes (6.5% blank). (In Hawaii "yes" votes must outnumber a combination of the "no" votes and the ballots left blank. In other words, blank votes count as "no" votes.) If approved, the ConCon would have no restrictions on the topics that could be addressed. The state legislature would vote to determine how many delegates are named, how those delegates are chosen and the ground rules for the convention.
Both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are vocal supporters of the ConCon. Governor Lingle has argued that the ConCon is necessary to allow residents "an opportunity to be more directly involved in the decisions that govern them." The Democratic convention approved a motion to take "no position" on a constitutional convention. The motion was offered by AFSCME, environmental groups and Hawaiian interests that support an educational campaign on the negative impacts of a ConCon and how change can come through other means.
An independent task force headed by Lieutenant Governor Aiona has been studying the costs for the proposed convention. The task force concluded the convention would cost taxpayers $2.3 million to $9.4 million, depending on the number of delegates, where the ConCon is convened and how long it lasts.
Hawaii is a non-initiative state; both measures that were on the statewide ballot were legislative referenda (0 passed).
2 Constitutional Amendments Were Referred
State of Hawaii Constitutional Convention Question: Constitutional Convention
Constitutional Convention: Shall there be a convention to propose a revision of or amendments to the Constitution?
Proponents: It's Time Hawaii, http://www.itstimehawaii.com
Opponents: No Committee Identified
FAILED 35% - 65%
Constitutional Amendment: Election Reform
Shall the age qualification for the office of governor and office of lieutenant governor be reduced from thirty years of age to twenty-five years of age?
Proponents: No Committee Identified
Opponents: No Committee Identified
FAILED 18% - 82%
For additional information please check with the Hawaii Secretary of State: http://hawaii.gov/elections