In New York state, citizens are given a chance every twenty years to rewrite the rules. That’s right, every two decades New Yorkers get to vote on whether they’d like to hold a new Constitutional Convention in order to update the laws that govern the Empire State. The last time New Yorkers voted yes on the Constitutional Convention issue was when Robert F. Kennedy was a senator. So for at least a half a century New Yorkers have been content with the laws on the books. But as times and challenges change, updating laws to meet current needs is an ever-present temptation. Naysayers remind would-be revisionists that the constitution is designed to be durable and applicable no matter the current issues.
The reason the laws haven’t been changed in so long is that most people believe it’s the equivalent of opening a can of worms, or Pandora’s box. Interpretation of the current laws by the judiciary is enough to meet the changing times, say those voting No on the Con-Con (as the Constitutional Convention is cutely known). In 1967 New York had a Constitutional Convention, but voters rejected the recommended changes. Before that you have to go back to 1938 to find a Constitutional Convention where changes were actually made. The Con-Con will be on the ballot on November 7. Between then and now, New Yorkers will hear a lot about it. So far the Vote No side seems to be winning in the magnet bumper sticker race.
— RVCTA (@RVCTeachers) April 12, 2017
