The stunning decision to overturn the conviction of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is a stark reminder that we must end the culture of corruption that still dominates our state government and poisons our democracy. New Yorkers were already fed up with the mess in Albany — but seeing one of the state’s most corrupt officials walk free should inspire us all to act now.

Since another legislative session has come and gone without the ethics reforms New Yorkers are demanding, there is only one way to truly fix this problem and ensure that another Sheldon Silver does not rise to power.

New Yorkers must vote “Yes” to a constitutional convention this November, and use the voice of the people to craft a state Constitution that prevents corruption, ensures fair elections and gives us the real democracy we have always deserved.

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As we consider why a constitutional convention is so necessary, we must recognize the flaws in our state that have allowed Silver and others like him to run rampant for so long.

First, our state government’s recent approach to corruption has always been to punish it — not to prevent it. While this has led to a crime wave of high-profile indictments and convictions, it does very little to actually protect New Yorkers and taxpayer money from the moral failures of some of our politicians. It also leaves the door open for situations like the court reversal of Silver’s conviction.

A prime example of this problem is that state lawmakers are able — and, given their low salaries, essentially encouraged — to make more money outside their jobs as public officials. This issue has come before Gov. Cuomo and the state Legislature for years, but they have done nothing to change it. Holding a state constitutional convention would allow New Yorkers to limit outside income for lawmakers and in increasing their compensation ensure that they serve the public interest — not private ones.

Second, Silver was able to dominate Albany in part because he held the same legislative seat for nearly 40 years and was Assembly speaker for more than 20 years. Virtually every time he was up for re-election, he ran unopposed or without a strong challenge.

That also holds true for nearly everyone else. Last year, one in four legislators running for re-election didn’t face an opponent in the primary or general election, meaning that many voters have little to no choice on Election Day.

We need term limits and a fairer election system that gives challengers a real chance against powerful and well-financed incumbents. Holding a constitutional convention would allow voters to decide whether to enact term limits, limit big money and enact a public campaign financing system that encourages fair and competitive elections.

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Third, the biggest reason we have so many entrenched and sometimes corrupt lawmakers in Albany is because too few New Yorkers are able to freely exercise their rights to vote. New York is a passive voter suppression state, with laws on the books dating back nearly 100 years that make it harder for everyday New Yorkers to make their voices heard on Election Day.

A constitutional convention could fix that by putting forth much-needed voting reforms such as early voting, more accessible and same-day registration, and expanded access to absentee ballots.

Those who support the status quo of corruption in our state have sought to mislead voters about what a constitutional convention is and what it could do for New York. They have falsely claimed it would not benefit our state and that voters would have no control over what is ultimately decided.

Guilty as charged: Shelly Silver must be tried again

The reality is that if New Yorkers choose this November to hold a constitutional convention, it is the voters themselves who will elect delegates to the convention. Those delegates will propose changes based on the wishes of the people who put them there.

And any proposal to amend the Constitution will need to be approved once again by the voters before it is implemented. This means that we, the people, will have the final say over whatever is enacted.

As we collectively deal with the shock of seeing Sheldon Silver’s conviction overturned, we should not just be mad. We should be fired up. We should be ready to vote “Yes” for a state constitutional convention and take back our democracy for the people of New York.

Dick Dadey is executive director of Citizens Union.

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Originally published in the New York Daily News