Rhode Island 2024

This Rhode Island case study examines the pro and con messaging used in Rhode Island's most recent Periodic Constitutional Convention Referendum (PCCR) campaigns. The focus is on explaining the winning tactics employed by the “no” side in 2024, which largely copied its winning tactics used in 2004 and 2014 as well as the winning tactics used by “no” campaigns in other states. This chapter provides theoretical and other context to analyze the messaging. The primary persuasion model used is the Elaboration Likelihood Model. The motivation and ability of recipients to process information are critical variables in determining the type of information campaign that is likely to be most effective. The political actors associated with the “no” campaign are not only interest groups but also government actors, including the Legislature's leadership, a commission the leadership appoints to educate the public about the convention call referendum, and the Secretary of State who drafts the summary of the convention referendum to distribute to all Rhode Islanders.