California Moves to Withdraw Calls for Constitutional Convention

State Senator Scott Wiener leads legislative effort to prevent potential misuse of Article V process by Republican-controlled government.

California Senator Scott Wiener has introduced legislation to rescind the state’s seven previous calls for a constitutional convention, some dating back over a century.
Concerns have grown that a convention could be used by Republicans, who now control the presidency, Congress, and a majority of state legislatures, to pass far-right amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Critics, including Wiener, warn that such a convention could lead to unpredictable results, potentially jeopardizing civil rights, democracy, and protections for marginalized groups.
California Governor Gavin Newsom had supported a 2023 call for a convention to address gun control, but lawmakers are now reconsidering due to fears of a 'runaway' process.
Other Democratic-led states, including New York, Illinois, and Oregon, have already rescinded similar calls to avoid inadvertently triggering a constitutional convention.