Ohio has a special election this August to vote on just one single solitary issue.
You’re correct if you think we don’t typically vote in August.
August special elections typically receive low voter turnout.
In fact, Republicans have alleged in the past that special interest groups often manipulatively put issues on the ballot in August because they know fewer Ohioans are paying attention.
But the strange thing is, it’s the Republicans who have put forth the issue in question this time.
This particular issue, known as issue 1, is a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would destroy citizen-driven ballot initiatives as we know them, upending Ohioans’ right to make decisions that directly impact our lives.
Reason #1 to vote NO on issue 1: it would take away our freedom by undermining the sacred principle of ‘one person, one vote’ and destroying majority rule in Ohio. Special interests and corrupt politicians are the only ones who think this is a good idea. They don’t like voters making decisions, so they’re trying to rewrite the rules.
For over 100 years, Ohioans have been able to amend the Ohio constitution with simple majority rule—50% +1. If Issue 1 were to pass, amendments would require 60% +1 to pass. That means 40% of voters could block what the majority want.
Issue 1 is an attempt by powerful legislators to fool voters into giving away their power, so politicians can get what they want, instead of what the people want. Eliminating majority rule would mean that a minority of voters could override the will of the people, and would strengthen the power of the state legislature at the expense of the voters.
Reason #2 to vote NO on issue 1: Politicians at the Statehouse say Issue 1 will protect the Ohio Constitution from out-of-state special interests. Actually, the opposite is true: if Issue 1 passes, only special interest groups with deep pockets will be able to bring issues to the ballot. Grassroots efforts, like moms wanting safer schools, will no longer have the power to get a ballot passed.
The process to put a citizen-led measure on the ballot in Ohio is already hard, and it is not overused. It’s even harder to convince voters to support a measure. As voters, we should reject anything that restricts our rights and freedoms.
Reason #3 to vote NO on issue 1: Republicans have linked issue 1 with the topic of abortion, but it actually has nothing to do with it. This vote in August is bigger than any one specific ballot proposal. It isn’t a Republican or Democrat issue. It’s not liberal or conservative. And it has NOTHING to do with abortion!
Voting NO on issue 1 is about preserving the right of the people of Ohio to bring issues directly to the ballot and ensure that voters have the ability to make decisions about issues that are important to them.
Vote NO on issue 1 if you want the power to reside with the people of Ohio, as the Constitution intended. Voting yes is handing power over to the politicians instead of keeping it in our hands where it belongs.
