A constitutional convention is a gathering where delegates propose amendments and changes to the state constitution. A constitutional convention question can be automatically scheduled to be put on the ballot for voters to decide, a state legislature can vote to put the question to voters, or citizens can file an initiative to place it on the ballot.

As of 2024, 44 states had a process of deciding on a constitutional convention.

In 14 states, constitutional convention questions are automatically referred to the ballot after a certain number of years. For these states, there is no requirement for a state legislature to vote to place the question on the ballot. For Alaska, Iowa, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Hawaii, the constitutional convention question is referred to the ballot every 10 years. For Michigan, it is 16 years. For Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New York, Ohio, and Oklahoma, a question is placed on the ballot every 20 years.

Twenty-seven states allow their legislature to vote to put a question for a constitutional convention on the ballot. Some of these states require a majority vote in their legislature, while others require a supermajority vote of three-fifths (60%) or two-thirds (66.67%).

Five states—Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, South Dakota, and Virginia—allow for a supermajority legislative vote without voter approval, and four states—Florida, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota—also have a petition process for citizens to file an initiative to petition for a constitutional convention question on the ballot.

Eight states—Arkansas, Indiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Vermont—do not provide for constitutional conventions.