Letter: Issue 1 would make Ohio Constitution a more stable instrument to guide state
Having read a number of questionable statements about Issue 1, I would like to give my view.
Issue 1 would require at least 60% of eligible voters voting yes in order to receive approval. This is up from the current 50% plus 1. This obviously means more voters would have to want the amendment and that would show it to be more acceptable to the people. Most states require 60% or more. (A few 55%.)
It would require any petition filed after Jan. 1 to be signed by at least 5% of the electors of each county based on the total vote for governor in the county in the preceding election. This is up from needing voter signatures from only 44 counties. Again, this would show it to be more acceptable to a wider base.
It would specify once the signature forms for the petition have been submitted, there will be no do-overs. They must meet all requirements the first time. This promotes serious preparation and does not waste the signature checkers' time.
These changes are intended to make the Ohio Constitution a more stable instrument for guiding the state. It should not be a code of laws in the usual sense. An amendment is a kind of super law and supersedes ordinary laws. If an ordinary law turns out to have flaws, the legislature can change it in a week, if they want. To change an amendment takes much longer.
The United States Constitution has had 27 amendments in 235 years. The Ohio Constitution has had 125 amendments since 1912 (111 years). So it would seem we may be putting issues in it that belong elsewhere. (Gambling, maybe?)
Two arguments from those who oppose are:
“We believe in majority rule.” Well majority rule (50% plus 1) is fine for ordinary laws. But when the issue being debated requires more sober thought, the percentage more often goes up. To stop debate in the Senate, 60 votes (60%) are needed. To ratify an amendment to our country's constitution requires a three fourths (75%) vote of the states. Amendments to many organization's constitutions or charters require 60% or more. A 2/3 vote of the DNC is required to amend its charter. The OEA requires 75% vote to amend its constitution. So 60% is not unusual at all.
“We believe in one person, one vote.” This one is a puzzler since changing the percentage does not change thenumber of votes you get. But the OEA cites this as a reason to oppose the issue.
At a time when our country seems to be governed by political TV ads, our Ohio Constitution needs greater protection from this opinion-forming tool of big, big money sources from outside Ohio borders.
Please vote yes on Issue 1.
Diane Nelson, Ashland
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Letter: Issue 1 would allow more voters to weigh in on Ohio amendments
