TL;DR: Constitutional Conventions
Welcome to the Constitutional Corner, where we explain complicated legal concepts using normal human words.
Welcome to OAE’s new Constitutional Corner
One benefit of our Executive Director and Board Chair both having law degrees is that we can, every once in a while, pull out those degrees to help other Ohioans better understand how our system works using normal human words.
Now let’s talk nerd.
What the hell is a Constitutional Convention, and why do I care?
If someone told you that a small group of political insiders could rewrite the U.S. Constitution to serve their own interests, you’d probably think it was a dystopian novel, not real life.
But here’s the thing—it’s not just possible, it’s already in motion. Extremist groups are pushing hard for a constitutional convention, a once-in-a-generation power grab that could gut fundamental rights, dismantle public institutions, and rig the system in their favor.
Ohio is right in the cross-hairs. We mentioned this earlier this week.
Understanding the history, function, and dangers of constitutional conventions isn’t just a civics lesson—it’s a survival guide.
As we launch this new series, we’re going to start by explaining what’s happening, why, and what you can do about it.
A Brief History of Constitutional Conventions in the U.S.
The most famous constitutional convention took place in 1787, originally convened to amend the Articles of Confederation. Instead, delegates scrapped the entire system and drafted the U.S. Constitution.
There has never been a second national constitutional convention. However, state-level conventions have occurred more than 200 times. Some have expanded rights and modernized state governments, while others have been exploited to remove protections or entrench political power.
How Do Constitutional Conventions Function?
Though the process varies by state and circumstance, the general structure includes:
Call for a Convention: Legislators or voters decide whether to convene a convention.
Select Delegates: Delegates—often political appointees—are chosen to draft, debate, and vote on changes.
Propose Amendments: Delegates introduce proposals that could fundamentally alter laws, rights, and government structures.
Ratify: The proposed changes may require approval by voters or legislatures before taking effect, a process known as ratification.
The Extremist Playbook: How They Use Constitutional Conventions
While some proponents claim constitutional conventions are a way to modernize governance, our nation’s history and political reality tell a more troubling story.
The reality is that a Constitutional Convention offers extremists a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape the nation in their image.
The biggest risk? A runaway convention—one where delegates, once assembled, ignore initial limits and overhaul fundamental rights and protections. This isn’t off-the-wall speculation; it’s a real danger. A convention could:
Attack Fundamental Rights: Protections for free speech, voting rights, reproductive rights, and civil liberties could be stripped away with a simple vote.
Open the Door to Dark Money: Powerful special interests could hijack the process, influencing delegates to enshrine corporate and ideological priorities into the Constitution itself.
Enshrine Minority Rule: New amendments could make it easier for a small group of elites or special interests to maintain control, overriding majority rule.
Privatize and Defund Public Institutions: Public education, healthcare, and social programs could be rewritten out of constitutional protections, opening the door to massive deregulation and privatization.
Destabilize Democracy: If conventions spiral into partisan chaos, they could fuel constitutional crises, eroding public trust in government and democratic institutions.
This isn’t hyperbole or rage bait. The campaign for a new constitutional convention is led by notorious originators of extremist policies, including the American Legislative Exchange Council and the Heritage Foundation (the authors of Project 2025) –and it’s working. So far, 19 states have passed resolutions authorizing participation in an Article V convention. And as we mentioned earlier this week, once Ohio becomes one of those states and passes a resolution, that resolution doesn’t expire.
Winter is coming… But it’s not here yet.
As we’ve previously warned, a portfolio of bills has been introduced in the 136th General Assembly related to Ohio’s participation in an Article V convention. The extremists’ funds and influence in Ohio are being coordinated specifically to push this effort forward. And it’s party bosses, not Ohio voters, that are running the show.
Party bosses pick the delegates: As currently presented, House Speaker Matt Huffman and Senate President Rob McColley will hand-select an Advisory Committee to “monitor and investigate” the convention delegates. (Any takers on a $1 bet that the Advisory Committee will include… Huffman, McColley, and one of the bill sponsors?)
Delegates are required to vote together: As currently presented, Ohio’s general delegation will be required to vote as one block, like the regrettable electoral college–except this voting block is not tied in any way to the stated will of Ohio voters.
We must do everything we can to stop these bills.
“What if they pass?” Well, we happen to be experts in making lemons into lemonade, so the fight will go on.
Are you ready to help us defend the US Constitution?
Stop Republican Party Bosses from hijacking the US constitution: tell your Ohio Senator NOT to renegotiate the U.S. Constitution.
And stay tuned for more from the Constitutional Corner soon.
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