JOINT RESOLUTION JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- REMOVING PROVISIONS PROVIDING FOR ELECTION BY PLURALITY (This Joint Resolution would propose to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment which would remove from the Constitution the provision of Article IV, Section 2, that provide for election by plurality.)
Impact
The proposed amendment, if approved, would fundamentally alter how elections are conducted in Rhode Island, transitioning from plurality voting to an unspecified alternative system. This change could have significant effects on electoral outcomes, potentially fostering a more representative electoral process by encouraging broader consensus among voters rather than just securing the largest share of votes.
Summary
Bill S2443 is a Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Rhode Island Constitution aimed at removing the current provisions that allow for elections to be decided by a plurality. Under the existing Article IV, Section 2, the candidate receiving the largest number of votes in any election for state and local offices is declared the winner. This bill suggests replacing this electoral framework, which has been established for years, with a new system that presumably will be debated by voters in the upcoming statewide election.
Contention
The proposal is likely to generate considerable debate among lawmakers and the public. Proponents of the measure may argue that the current plurality system can lead to outcomes that do not reflect the true will of the electorate, especially in races with multiple candidates. Critics, however, may view the change as an unnecessary complication that could confuse voters or diminish the accountability of elected officials by allowing candidates to win without a majority support.
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