We, the people of the State of Rhode Island , grateful to Almighty
God for the civil and religious liberty which
He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and to transmit
the same, unimpaired, to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution of government.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS
The
general assembly may propose amendments to the
Constitution of the state by a roll call vote of a majority
of the members elected to each house. Any amendment thus proposed
shall be published in such manner as the general
assembly shall direct,
and submitted to the
electors at the next general
election as provided
in the resolution of
approval; and, if then approved
by a majority of the electors voting thereon, it shall become a part of
the Constitution.
The
general assembly, by a vote of a
majority of the members elected to
each house, may at any general election submit the question, ‘‘Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the Constitution?’’ to the
qualified electors of the state. If the question be not submitted
to the people at some time during any period of ten years,
the secretary of state shall submit it at the next
general election following said period.
Prior to a vote by the qualified electors on the holding of a convention, the general assembly, or the governor if the general
assembly fails to act, shall provide for a bi-partisan preparatory commission to assemble
information on constitutional questions for the electors. If a majority
of the electors voting at such election on said question shall vote to
hold a convention, the general assembly
at its next session shall
provide by law for the election
of delegates to such convention. The number of delegates shall be equal to the number of members of the house of representatives and shall be apportioned in the same manner as the
members of the house of representatives. No revision or amendment of this
Constitution agreed upon by such convention shall take effect until
the same has been submitted
to the electors and approved
by a majority of those voting thereon.