fbpx

Stopping a Dangerous Article V Convention

The only way to defend our values against this threat is if ordinary people like us step up to make a difference. Join the fight today.

Interest builds in a new constitutional convention, but is it a good idea? Editorial Board Roundtable

Interest builds in a new constitutional convention, but is it a good idea? Editorial Board Roundtable

By the Editorial Board, cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer

March 01, 2025

The Ohio GOP appears to be lining up behind the idea of a constitutional convention, with resolutions introduced in both the Ohio House and Senate. No more birthright citizenship, anyone?

But a new constitutional amendment is also a goal progressives have long pushed to bar or limit corporate personhood rights and nullify the 2010 Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC ruling that opened the spigot to corporate money in politics.

Despite attempts over the years to call a Convention of the States, including via Ohio resolutions, the required two-thirds of states agreeing on the issue or issues prompting the convention has never been achieved, notes cleveland.com’s Jeremy Pelzer. Constitutional amendments can also be proposed by Congress via a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Other issues could emerge in a new constitutional convention, however, including, as Pelzer noted, a possible amendment limiting the U.S. Supreme Court to its current nine justices, or one restricting early voting. Any proposed changes to the Constitution would, however, have to be ratified by three-quarters of the states.

So is a new constitutional convention a good idea to tackle questions that have emerged since 1787’s first (and, so far, only) constitutional convention, or a recipe for trouble, expense and gridlock? The Editorial Board Roundtable offers its thoughts.

Leila Atassi, manager public interest and advocacy:
A constitutional convention in today’s political climate would be a disaster. With Trump loyalists dominating the GOP, there’s no telling what fundamental rights could be stripped away — birthright citizenship, voting access, even judicial independence. Progressives might hope for campaign finance reform, but an open convention risks chaos, extremism, and deepening divisions. The Constitution isn’t perfect, but this is a dangerous gamble.

Thomas Suddes, editorial writer:
Calling a constitutional convention is a ridiculous — and irresponsible — idea. All manner of bizarre proposals would undoubtedly emerge and further roil American politics, already tempestuous. The Founders, in Philadelphia more than 200 years ago, crafted a durable document that has in the main (but for Prohibition) been reasonably amended issue by issue. We already have one free-for-all: Congress. We don’t need another.

Ted Diadiun, columnist:
Calling a constitutional convention would be about the worst idea in the history of this country. One that would have the potential of blowing up in the faces of those who support it, and rending the fabric of the most thoughtful, logical, most valuable document in human history. Anyone who would support this idea should be directed back for another try at civics class.

Eric Foster, columnist:
I’m not sure how exactly to describe the thought that bipartisan support could be mustered for a constitutional convention, followed by bipartisan support for a constitutional amendment. Fantastical? Hopeful? Arrogant? Delusional? Twenty-eight states — more than half — are controlled by partisan supermajorities, meaning that working across the aisle is a foreign concept to those legislators. You don’t suddenly acquire that skill at a constitutional convention.

Lisa Garvin, editorial board member:
Our nation has never been more polarized, making it the worst possible time to call a convention. The Ohio resolutions’ three discussion topics are overly broad and highly subjective: term limits; fiscal restraint; and limiting the power of government. This allows convention delegates to interpret them however they wish and do real damage to the Constitution. Will 38 states agree to ratify? I don’t think so.

Victor Ruiz, editorial board member:
If you value your freedom, now is not the time for a constitutional convention. With our country so divided and many of our elected officials disregarding constitutional rights, this is a risky move. The consequences could be serious and negatively impact many of us for years to come.

Mary Cay Doherty, editorial board member:
The Constitution provides the framework for our government and safeguards our most precious rights. The wise and prescient Founding Fathers set a high bar for amending this sacred document. They knew that foundational change is rarely necessary and potentially destabilizing. Readily adaptable legislative action is almost always the better governance tool. Today, neither Democrats nor Republicans are raising concerns that merit amending the Constitution.

Elizabeth Sullivan, opinion director:
Besides being a politically pointless (and needlessly expensive) exercise, since gridlock is likely to be the ultimate outcome, calling a constitutional convention to fix things that either don’t need fixing or can be fixed through legislation would needlessly inflame our nation’s already dangerously partisan divide.

Related News

Inside Mike Johnson’s Ties to a Far-Right Movement to Gut the Constitution

The new House speaker has longstanding ties to the evangelical inspired Convention of States cause. As the interregnum without a speaker of the House came to an end last month, people from across the political spectrum came together, in a rare show of unity, to ask a single question: Who in the world is Mike […]

Read More >

Maryland Attorney General Warns of the Dangers of an Article V Convention

Just two years after Maryland rescinded the state’s application for an Article V convention, legislators are again considering calling for a convention. This time, though, Maryland legislators want the convention to be focused on campaign finance reform. While we all agree that we must change our campaign finance system, trying to change it in a […]

Read More >

The Legislature’s con-con con job | Editorial

The Legislature’s con-con con job | Editorial By SUN SENTINEL EDITORIAL BOARD | Sun Sentinel PUBLISHED: January 4, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. | UPDATED: January 4, 2024 at 12:05 p.m. The 2024 Florida legislative session kicks into gear Tuesday, and the opening day’s agenda tells you all you need to know about what deserves immediate […]

Read More >

Do you trust far-right politicians working to remake the Kansas and US Constitutions? | Opinion

Do you trust far-right politicians working to remake the Kansas and US Constitutions? | Opinion Joel Mathis Thu, January 4, 2024 at 4:07 a.m. MST The Kansas City Star Do you trust Kansas state Sen. Mike Thompson with the U.S. Constitution? You probably shouldn’t. Thompson, the Shawnee Republican, had a long career as a jovial […]

Read More >

Article V Proponent Mark Meckler Takes Over as Right-Wing Media CEO

Americans deserve a free and fair democracy that is brought to them through factual information and trusted leadership. However, with the re-emergence of Parler under the direction of a known right-wing extremist figure that is actively working to dismantle those very rights, only further proves that the site is not intended to engage in dialogue. […]

Read More >

New Polling Shows Americans Oppose Changing Constitution Through Convention

Americans across the political spectrum believe our constitutional rights must be protected and oppose calling a new constitutional convention to change the Constitution, according to new polling conducted last month. Research by J. Wallin Opinion Research concludes that after the tumultuous year marked by a national election, civil rights demonstrations, and a historic health pandemic, […]

Read More >

‘Convention of States’ a dangerous, untested effort to rewrite our Constitution | Opinion

‘Convention of States’ a dangerous, untested effort to rewrite our Constitution | Opinion At a time when extreme gerrymandering has created unprecedented polarization and big money buys access and influence, a potentially destabilizing constitutional convention is the last thing we need Mia Lewis Opinion contributor I read Dan Sewell’s July 14 column on the Convention […]

Read More >

KC Becker: Constitutional convention could spell chaos for democracy

KC Becker, who lives in Boulder and represents District 13, is the now the Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives. She penned this op-ed on September 25, 2018, while majority leader. We deserve a democracy that puts hardworking Coloradans ahead of wealthy special interests and the well-connected. No one can deny the powerful influence […]

Read More >

Stay Connected

We need your help before it's too late. Join our mailing list to receive important updates and help us mobilize.