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Why did our legislators choose to proceed in this fashion? Do they really want to know what the voters think? If so, this is not the way to do it.

More disturbing than the timing is the way in which the Legislature is approaching the issue of a constitutional amendment. Our state constitution clearly spells out the amendment process. As Gordon Harrison points out in his "Citizen's Guide to the Alaska Constitution," the drafters of our constitution purposely chose a two-step amendment process, beginning with a proposal from a deliberative body (the Legislature). Only after the legislators have deliberated, debated and formally proposed an amendment do the people vote; it is not an accident that the constitution cannot be amended by initiative. A matter this serious demands a thoughtful and considered approach.

The April 3 advisory vote turns this constitutional process on its head. Citizens are being asked to vote their opinion or hunch or best guess on what the Legislature could or should or might do, rather than on what it has done. Indeed, we are being asked to vote before we know what we are voting on.

We should be concerned, for example, that the language of the advisory vote differs substantially from the related bill presently pending in the Legislature. The legislators can choose to interpret the advisory vote outcome anyway they wish (or in several conflicting ways), take some action or fail to act, and claim that they are simply following the commands of the people.

This is not the way to proceed. If the Legislature wants a constitutional amendment, it should propose one. Only then is it appropriate to have a vote of the people, as the constitution clearly states. Our legislators are avoiding their constitutional duty at considerable financial cost to the state, and with considerable disrespect for the constitution and the voters of the state, apparently only for the purpose of obtaining some political cover.

This is not good government. Please take a moment right now to let your legislators know how displeased you are with their failure to perform the duties assigned to them by the constitution that they have sworn to uphold. How can we encourage our citizens to do their part when our Legislature is avoiding its own responsibilities?

Should you vote on April 3? As the League of Women Voters, we are always in favor of voting. But this special election has sorely tested our convictions and resolve.

Bottom line? The $1.2 million has been spent, and the polls will be open from 7 in the morning until 8 in the evening. So we recommend going to your polling place on April 3 and casting a "no" vote as a way of sending a message - no more advisory votes!

• Katherine Gouyton is president of the League of Women Voters of Alaska. She lives in Juneau.