Constitutional Convention records speak for themselves
Op-ed published in the Warwick Beacon
Read MoreCategory: Constitutional Conventions
Constitutional Convention and the out-of-state-money bogeyman
Op-ed published in the Providence Journal
Read MoreConstitutional Convention purpose? Democratic reform
Op-ed published in the Valley Breeze
Read More1787: Vote No Against Convening a National Constitutional Convention
Op-ed (a satire on the current debate on whether to call a state concon) published in the GoLocalProv
Read MoreR.I. handbook shows blatant bias
In the Internet Age, Rhode Island style voter information handbooks have become a First Amendment archaism, in the way the government-imposed Fairness Doctrine became after Americans got access to dozens of TV channels. It has...
Read MoreR.I.’s poor preparation for convention
In another case of the fox guarding the chicken coop, Rhode Island’s bipartisan preparatory commission has been a failed experiment in explaining to the public the advantages of constitutional convention over...
Read More‘Dark money’ drives R.I. constitutional convention votes
Rhode Island’s campaign finance disclosure law explains its purpose in high-minded democratic terms: “the source of political spending is vital information for voters,” as it “allows voters to properly weigh speakers and...
Read MoreR.I. needs a constitutional convention
This November, Rhode Islanders will vote on whether to convene a constitutional convention. Throughout most of American history, state constitutional conventions were a regular occurrence. But not one has been approved during...
Read MoreGuest Commentary: Maryland manipulates ‘majority’ vote
Some vote counting scandals receive front page news coverage and shock the world; others remain invisible. Such is the difference between Florida’s 2000 presidential election and Maryland’s 2010 referendum to convene a state...
Read MoreOn gambling vote, what is meant by a 'majority'?
Legislature applies different interpretations according to its self-interest. What type of majority is necessary to approve Maryland’s Nov. 6 ballot referendum to expand gambling? Maryland’s Constitution says:...
Read MoreMaryland’s General Assembly is Not Above the Law
Maryland’s Constitution mandates a referendum every twenty years on whether to call a constitutional convention. This mandate is an extension of article 1 of the Declaration of Rights, which provides that the people of the state...
Read MoreHow to fix Maryland’s D-minus in corruption
Op-ed published in the Washington Examiner
Read MoreWrap-up on Maryland's 10 Year Redistricting Cycle
Maryland’s Congressional and General Assembly gerrymanders greatly differed in the press coverage they received. Does that mean the General Assembly gerrymanders were less of an outrage? Every 10 years Maryland state...
Read MoreIt will take a con-con to untangle Maryland’s gerrymanders
The U.S. Constitution mandates that states redraw their political districts every decade, based on the latest population census data. Maryland’s General Assembly is currently considering new districts for itself. Maryland’s...
Read MoreState ignores voters on constitutional convention
Majority voted in favor of con-con in 2010, yet it hasn’t been convened. Many laws aren’t enforced, including requirements that you pay payroll tax for baby sitters and clean your sidewalk after a snowstorm. But...
Read MoreSeverna Park Split Into Three Legislative Districts
The Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee has released its legislative plan. Its prior Congressional redistricting plan was a partisan gerrymander; this one is a pro-incumbent gerrymander. The U.S. Constitution mandates...
Read MoreMaryland’s Congressional Redistricting: Let’s Make it Transparent and Accountable
Should voters pick their reps or vice versa? Since reps get to do the picking, Snider calls on the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee to make its process more transparent and accountable. On Aug. 30, 2011, I...
Read MoreGive Marylanders the constitutional convention they voted for
In an Oct. 21 gubernatorial debate with Republican challenger Robert Ehrlich, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley was asked if he supported convening a constitutional convention – a “con-con” – in...
Read MoreA Historic Year for State Con-Cons
2010 marks a historic year for state constitutional conventions (con-cons). On November 2, 2010, four states (Maryland, Michigan, Montana, and Iowa) have referendums on the ballot asking voters whether they want to convene a...
Read MoreConstitutional Convention: The road to term limits in Maryland
Could this be the year when the anti-incumbent mood in Maryland results in legislative term limits? If so, there is only one way it could happen: via the statewide ballot item on Nov. 2 to convene a state constitutional...
Read MoreMaryland's Ballot Surprise
Voters in November will have a rare opportunity to shape the state’s constitution. This November, Marylanders will have a once-in-a-generation chance to shake up the political process. Yet few know about it, and even fewer...
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Author
J.H. Snider