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Voters Likely to Reject Question 1, Poll Shows • Rhode Island Current

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Voters Likely to Reject Question 1, Poll Shows • Rhode Island Current

Rhode Island voters are likely to reject a ballot question asking whether the state should hold a constitutional convention for the fourth straight decade, a day before the election University of New Hampshire survey (UNH) suggests.

The poll of 753 likely voters in Rhode Island last week found that 47% planned to vote against the ballot measure — 19 percentage points higher than what the UNH Survey Center found in its poll previous survey in September when 28% of respondents said they would vote no.

Just over a third – 34% – of people surveyed between October 29 and November 2 said they would vote to hold a convention, down four percentage points from September. The remaining 18% were undecided, down 15 percentage points from the previous poll.

The UNH pre-election poll has a margin of error of 3.9%.

Just over half – 54% – of those surveyed ahead of the general election said they had heard a little or a lot about the once-in-a-decade election, while 61% said they understood the question.

“That's a good sign that there's been more clarity,” Emily Lynch, a political science professor at the University of Rhode Island, said in an interview Monday.

What might help voters make their decision, she said, is that Rhode Island's two major political parties have begun solidifying their own stance on Question 1 on the statewide ballot — something they have only done in the last few months would have started.

“Those who are interested in politics and paying attention might look at these recommendations,” Lynch said.

The First Article of the Constitution of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, as adopted by the Convention meeting at Newport in September, 1842. (Library of Congress)

Rhode Island's congressional question appears on the ballot in years ending with number four. In 1994, 2004 and 2014, voters rejected ballot questions with the intent to call one. No convention is required to amend the state's constitution. The Rhode Island General Assembly may also propose constitutional amendments in any election year.

The state's last convention was held in 1986. Rhode Island was the last US state to hold a constitutional convention.

The Democratic Party made its stance official on Sept. 25 after sending an email titled “WATCH NOW: REJECT QUESTION 1,” created by Rhode Island Citizens for Responsible Government — the coalition of 37 labor and Civil rights organizations that have led the campaign against a constitutional convention ever since its founding at the end of July.

The coalition contends that a constitutional convention paves the way for well-funded interest groups to restrict many of the state's civil liberties and reproductive rights.

But so far almost all expenditure has come from the coalition, it is said Filings with the Rhode Island Board of Elections.

As of Monday, Rhode Island Citizens for Responsible Government has spent more than $134,000 on digital and radio advertising, as well as mailers and “campaign organizing services.” The group has received nearly $150,000 in donations from labor unions and civil rights groups such as Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi issued statements and a column opposing Question 1 over the past two weeks. Shekarchi warned that dark money could flow into the state to influence which amendments are put before voters. (Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)

The anti-convention coalition also received support from such prominent Latino figures as Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera and Treasurer General James Diossa, who spoke out against the measure at an Oct. 25 event at the Latino Policy Institute in Providence. A day earlier, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, a Democrat from Warwick, published a column argue against holding a congress. Shekarchi and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse issued joint statements urging Rhode Islanders to reject Question 1.

Similar to the coalition, Shekarchi warned that dark money would flow into the state to influence which amendments would be put before voters.

“Outside groups would view Rhode Island as a test case for enshrining these issues in each state’s constitution,” Shekarchi wrote. “We cannot allow our Constitution to be sold to the highest bidder.”

About 51% of Democrats surveyed by UNH said they plan to vote against the convention question; 30% wanted to vote for question 1, while the remaining 19% were undecided.

The only expenses for a conference cost just over $5,000 and was issued by former Rhode Island Republican National Committeeman Steve Frias. He produced a video Linking the convention to the ongoing closure of the westbound Washington Bridge in Providence.

“Your car isn’t the only thing stuck,” a woman’s voice says over a shot of bridge traffic. “We cannot move forward unless we vote yes on Question 1.”

The video was shared by the Rhode Island Republican Party on October 30, a day after the party's IPO on X to express support for the convention and say the measure could bring transparency to state government. The GOP post cited possible convention outcomes, such as proposals to create an inspector general's office, a budget veto and term limits. Any amendments approved by convention delegates must be submitted to voters.

“If there is a push to change the status quo, it would come from those who have less power in the state,” Lynch said.

According to a UNH pre-election poll, Republican voters remain divided on the issue: 39% said they would vote “yes” while 40% said they would oppose holding a constitutional convention. The remaining 20% ​​of GOP voters surveyed were undecided.

If a majority of Rhode Islanders vote to hold a convention, the state would have to hold a special election to select 75 congressional delegates to represent each district in the House of Representatives. Delegates then gathered, debated, negotiated and approved a series of amendments that would appear on the ballot for the 2026 general election.

Estimates The cost of the convention will range from $2.6 million to $4.6 million, including an estimated $1.3 million for a special election to select the 75 convention delegates.

Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in all cities and towns, except Block Island, where polls will open at 9 a.m

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