Ten more years.

That鈥檚 likely how long it鈥檒l be before Hawaii voters get another chance to call a state constitutional convention.

The ConCon ballot measure was way behind as returns rolled in Tuesday night with 69.1 percent 鈥渘o鈥� votes to 23.7 percent 鈥測es votes. Blank ballots (7.2 percent) also count as 鈥渘o鈥� votes.

A ConCon would have provided聽a chance for elected delegates聽to do something that usually only state legislators can do: propose amendments to the Hawaii constitution that voters would then decide on.

Supporters said a ConCon offered a rare opportunity to achieve reforms that the Legislature has been unwilling to make, such as establishing a statewide citizen initiative process and term limits for legislators.

Opponents said it could imperil reforms made at previous ConCons, such as the collective bargaining rights of public employee unions and establishment of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Lei bedecked bronze hand of Queen Liliuokalani on the makai side of the Hawaii State Capitol building.
A constitutional convention would have given elected delegates power that is otherwise exercised only inside the State Capitol. Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2018

All the campaign money spent on the measure 鈥� $665,000 as of last week 鈥� was in opposition, according to reports聽submitted to the state Campaign Spending Commission. Most of that money came from public employee unions.

A recent Civil Beat poll聽found support for the concept of a ConCon, even though a majority of respondents said they planned to vote 鈥渘o鈥� on the actual measure.

About That ConAm

The poll also found support for proposals that could emerge from a ConCon, such as term limits for legislators, a state lottery, and establishment of a statewide citizen initiative, referendum and recall process.

In essence, a ConCon allows elected convention delegates to go over the heads of the Legislature, even though state lawmakers get to decide when and how many delegates are elected, where the event is held and its budget.

The current constitution requires that voters be given the option of calling a ConCon at least once every 10 years. The Legislature has the power to call one sooner, but is unlikely to do so.

The last ConCon was held in 1978.

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