1. Why did the Framers of the Constitution want ratification votes cast by

special state conventions rather than by state legislatures?

The state conventions represent the interests and sentiments of the people more closely.

Explanation:

The framers of the constitution decided that special state conventions were a more adequate means to represent the interests of the people. The idea behind this is that the states hold a referendum to decide on matters of a federal constitution amendment. The legislative body of the state has an indirect appeal to the people of each state, while a referendum is a better means to decide which laws to pass. The framers of the constitution thus proposed to hold state conventions.