About an Article V Constitutional Convention

Out-of-state special interest groups have spent years working to persuade the Idaho Legislature to consider their dangerous and misguided efforts to alter the U.S. Constitution by calling for an Article V Constitutional convention. Many leading conservative groups, economists, lawmakers, and policy experts oppose a Constitutional convention because a convention risks unraveling the fundamental rights and freedoms given to us by the nation’s founders.

An Article V Constitutional convention is also known as a Convention of States, Convention of Amendments, and a Con-Con.

 Article V of the U.S. Constitution

In the Constitution, Article V provides for a Constitutional amendment in two ways:

The first method: Congress proposes amendments to the states for ratification. The country has successfully used this method to amend the Constitution 27 times.  These amendments include the abolishment of slavery and the right to vote regardless of race or sex.

The second method: States pass legislation directing Congress to call a Constitutional convention, which opens the Constitution to change. Congress is required to call a convention if at least two-thirds (34) of the states request one.

Supporters of a Constitutional convention say one is needed to advance any number of political goals. Regardless of the reason, Article V does not include any instructions for how a convention would work. That’s why many leading conservative groups, constitutional law experts, economists and policy experts oppose a Constitutional convention: the risk of unintended consequences is too high.  

The dangers of convening a convention are real. No precedent exists for how the convention would operate, and there are no limits on how the Constitution could be changed. The Constitution itself provides no basis for limiting a convention to specific issues. Fundamental documents like the Bill of Rights could be rewritten or revoked. Even the process for ratification of amendments could be altered, shutting small states like Idaho out of the discussion.

Idaho Is A Target

Proponents from outside of Idaho claim that 28 states have “live” resolutions invoking Article V of the Constitution to convene a convention. Just six more are needed. Idaho has been publicly identified as a target during the 2020 Legislative Session, and Idaho lawmakers are under intense pressure from powerful outside lobbying groups to pass a resolution calling for a Constitutional convention.

Read more about why an Article V Convention is risky and take action now.

Idaho Citizens Can Help Defend The Constitution

A Convention could pose dangerous threats to our democracy, and  Idahoans can play a pivotal role in protecting our future. By continuing to reject all Article V resolutions, our state prevents the nation from becoming one state closer to convening a convention.

You can help: