AFN opposes Constitutional Convention

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Tuesday, November 1st, 2022 7:59am

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Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska Federation of Natives, at their annual meeting in Anchorage, voted to approve a resolution asking voters to oppose ballot measure 1.

The Alaska General Election is on Tuesday, November 8. Currently scheduled for the General Election is Ballot Measure No. 1 – Constitutional Convention Question. Ballot Measure No. 1 asks the question “Shall there be a constitutional convention?”

The AFN Legislative and Litigation Committee voted to oppose Ballot Measure No. 1. The AFN Legislative and Litigation Committee can take action on issues, such as a constitutional convention on behalf of the full AFN Board of Directors.

AFN said in a release that it believes a Constitutional Convention currently is unnecessary, expensive, and dangerous.

"A Constitution Convention would open our State Constitution for revision on a wide range of critical issues and pose risks to tribal/Alaska Native interests that are embedded in the Constitution with the likelihood of delegates with views that are antagonistic to those interests. The risks outweigh the rewards," they wrote.

At the 2022 AFN Convention, delegates voted to pass Resolution 22-22: Defend Alaska's State Constitution and Native Rights asking voters to oppose Ballot Measure No. 1.

"AFN highly encourages our members to review Ballot Measure No 1. to determine the potential risks to your communities, and to oppose a constitutional convention," AFN further wrote.

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