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Posted: Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 5:02 AM HST

Constitutional Convention issue loses 2-1

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) _ Hawaii voters may have embraced change touted by President-elect Barack Obama, but they weren't comfortable with changing the state Constitution. A proposal to convene a Constitutional Convention was rejected nearly 2-to-1 Tuesday. Supporters said a convention could address issues elected lawmakers won't tackle, such as education and health care reform, local control and term limits. But opponents said a Con Con could lead to unpredictable results and cost too much at a time when the state is facing deep budget cuts. Island voters also decided against a proposal to lower the age to run for governor from 30 to 25. It went down in a resounding defeat. The only proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot was approved by the Legislature last spring. The proposal was the work of a group called Youth Outreach! Hawaii. It was formed to get more younger adults involved in the political process. Meanwhile, voters on the Big Island approved a measure making marijuana enforcement the lowest priority for Hawaii County police. The final tally was 34,957-to-25,464. Similar laws are in place in cities and counties of at least eight states. (Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved)