Voices of the Peninsula: Central peninsula League of Women Voters says ‘no’ to constitutional convention

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS CENTRAL KENAI PENINSULA RESOLUTION 2022-2032:

A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING VOTING NO FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IN THE NOVEMBER 8, 2022, GENERAL ELECTION

WHEREAS the Lt. Governor is required to put before voters a ballot question “Shall there be a constitutional convention?” on the November 8, General Election ballot; and

WHEREAS, since the Constitution was ratified in 1956, the question to open the constitution has appeared on the ballot and been voted down five times; and

WHEREAS the first vote on a convention was in 1970. It passed by a thin margin, but the courts found the wording of the question to be biased and threw out the results. The question in its current form was first posed in 1972, and voters resoundingly rejected it and have every ten years since; and

WHEREAS the League of Women Voters Central Kenai Peninsula supports these objectives of a state constitution:

• It should provide a framework for statutory law.

• It should be flexible, concise, and adaptable to changing needs.

• It should provide for the establishment of the executive,

legislative, and judicial branches, and establish the basic function of each with checks and balances among them.

• It should provide for the protection of group and individual rights; and

WHEREAS the League finds the present Alaska State constitution meets these objectives; and

WHEREAS the League finds that although there are criticisms of government in Alaska, the problems are not with the constitutional provisions, but with the implementations of these provisions; and

WHEREAS the League of Women Voters of Central Kenai Peninsula believes that a constitutional convention should not be held at this time; and

WHEREAS while certain issues prompt intense public interest, the League does not believe that altering the basic framework of government is the best way to address these issues. The League of Women Voters of the Central Kenai Peninsula supports reliance on the amendment process for any needed changes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS CENTRAL KENAI PENINSULA

Section 1. That the League of Women Voters Central Kenai Peninsula supports voting NO on the ballot question of a constitutional convention.

Section 2. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.

ADOPTED

BY THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS CENTRAL KENAI PENINSULA THIS 12TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2022