Our democracy is worth defending. Vote no on Ohio Issue 1
The responsibility falls upon us to safeguard our democracy and protect our freedom to make decisions at the ballot box.
Let us resoundingly reject Issue 1, ensuring that the power remains in the hands of the people, as it rightly should. Ohio deserves a vibrant and inclusive democracy that embraces the collective will of its citizens, not one manipulated by power-hungry and out-of-touch political interests.
Opposition to Issue 1 extends beyond party lines. It has garnered widespread bipartisan criticism, being labeled as undemocratic, unfair, unpopular and unnecessary. Former Ohio governors and attorneys general from both sides of the aisle have echoed the chorus of voices speaking out against this detrimental proposal.
Ohio’s long-standing tradition of allowing citizens to amend our constitution through ballot initiatives has been a cornerstone of our democracy for more than a century. Issue 1 threatens to undermine the very essence of that democracy. It is imperative that we stand together and reject this misguided proposal.
ABJ editorial: 8 reasons for why Issue 1 is wrong for all Ohioans, even conservatives
At its core, Issue 1 aims to make it harder for the people of Ohio to propose and pass constitutional amendments. By doing so, it would undermine the fundamental democratic principle of “one person, one vote.” We must not allow politicians in Columbus to gain even more power and license to disregard the will of the people when it comes to shaping our state’s future.
Ironically, the same lawmakers who voted to send Issue 1 to the polls in an August special election voted to eliminate August special elections mere months ago, citing low voter turnout and high cost to taxpayers. Now, Republicans are breaking their own rules to stifle future voter-led initiatives to the tune of at least $15 million from the taxpayers.
If Issue 1 passes, a mere 41% of voters would have the ability to block any issue and dictate decisions for all Ohioans. This concentration of power goes against the very spirit of our democracy and representative government as a whole, wherein decisions reflect the collective voice of the majority.
It is crucial to note that Ohio’s legislature repeatedly ignores popular opinion on critical issues such as abortion, marijuana and gun safety. Issue 1 appears to be a calculated move by certain Republicans to suppress ballot initiatives that a majority of Ohioans support, such as protecting reproductive rights (which 59% of Ohioans support), establishing an independent citizens’ redistricting commission to stop partisan gerrymandering (which 56% of Ohioans support), raising the minimum wage (which 60% of Ohioans support) or fully legalizing marijuana (which 58% of Ohioans support).
Not only would Issue 1 raise the threshold for passing citizen-initiated amendments from a simple majority to 60%, but it also would dramatically change the signature collection requirements. This includes mandating support from all 88 counties in Ohio for a particular initiative before it can be seen on a ballot, which is much higher than the current 44-county support requirement. Additionally, it would eliminate the opportunity to correct or collect additional signatures if any are deemed invalid, forcing petitioners to restart the entire initiative process due to what can often be simple, minor errors. Such drastic changes would make it exceedingly difficult for grassroots campaigns to achieve their goals.
Even Secretary of State Frank LaRose, in November 2022, expressed concerns about increasing the signature threshold, recognizing that it would hinder the efforts of genuine citizen groups. It is “a blunt and inelegant instrument,” to use LaRose’s verbiage. Issue 1 would impede Ohioans from exercising their right to have their voices heard.
Join the bipartisan effort to protect majority rule and democratic principles. Vote no on Issue 1 on Aug. 8.
Vernon Sykes is a Democratic state senator from Akron. Tavia Galonski is a Democratic state representative from Akron.
Michael Douglas: Issue 1 'a brazen partisan power play' that strips power from voters
Voting: What to know about early voting for Aug. 8 special election on Issue 1
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Opinion: Akron’s legislators urge no vote on Ohio Issue 1
