Time For Another Constitutional Convention In Oregon?

OREGON CONSTITUTION  GOVERNMENT 

By Chris Lehman

Salem, OR  June 30, 2008 5:24 p.m.

Oregon’s Constitution addresses everything from freedom of speech to the proper method of buying stationery for state business.  Some lawmakers say it’s time to overhaul the document.  

Correspondent Chris Lehman reports on the makings of a modern-day Constitutional Convention.

Oregon’s Constitution has been amended hundreds of times since it was first adopted in 1857.

It’s riddled with out-of-date references and spelling errors -- even the word Constitution is spelled wrong at one point.

Supporters of a proposal to clean things up say it would make it more accessible to the people it’s supposed to protect.

But Portland Constitutional lawyer Charlie Hinkle says the state should be careful not to bite off more than it can chew.

Charlie Hinkle:  “The 1857 convention lasted I think maybe six weeks.  Can you imagine 60 delegates or 100 delegates or something in Oregon today debating these things and getting their work done in six weeks?  It wouldn’t happen.  It would go on at great length.”

Theoretically all the misspellings could be cleaned up through a series of popular votes.  But supporters of the plan say a Constitutional Convention would be much more efficient.

Online:

Oregon Constitution

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