2010 or 2012?

Do we need to change the Hawaii State Constitution? That's what voters will need to ask themselves when they determine in the 2008 election whether to hold a Constitutional Convention. If the voters say YES, some news reports indicated that the convention would be held in 2010. Not necessarily. There are two scenarios, a regular schedule and an expedited schedule.

For the regular schedule, if voters say YES, the legislature determines the number of delegates to be elected and from what area they come. The public would then elect the individual delegates in the 2010 election. Those delegates must convene not less than 5 months before the 2012 general election. The Constitutional Convention ballot issues would be on the ballot in 2012.

For the expedited schedule, the legislature determines the number of delegates to be elected and from what area they come. They can then hold a special election to elect the individual delegates. The delegates must convene not less than 5 months prior to the 2010 general election. The Constitutional Convention ballot issues would be on the ballot in 2010.