To the Editor:
As Ohioans, we all want our votes to count and our voices to be heard. For over 100 years, Ohioans have had that right through direct access to our democracy. Using this right, Ohioans have voted to amend our state constitution through citizen-led ballot initiatives that have improved our lives and fought control of Ohio by elite monied interests. These amendments, designed to pass with simple majorities, outlawed benefits to special interests, barred taxes on food, established county home rule, set limits to unvoted property taxes and raised the minimum wage while tying it to inflation. Ohioans have used this power judiciously, passing only about a quarter of all such proposed amendments.
But now, the rights of Ohio citizens are in danger of being stripped away. The Ohio legislature is close to passing two resolutions (HJR1 and SJR1) that would place burdensome requirements on citizen-led initiatives. They would also require a super-majority of 60% voter approval for passage, essentially enshrining minority rule. And, to add insult to injury, the Republican-controlled legislature is rushing through bills that would create a special election in August solely for this ballot initiative. This is despite a recent law signed by Gov. Mike DeWine to eliminate August elections due to high cost and low voter turnout. It is evidently more important to keep power for themselves than to protect the rights of citizens or to be a good steward of our tax dollars.
We can come together to protect our rights. Please contact your legislators and ask them to vote "no" on HJR1 and SJR1. Further, we can ask our legislators to instead focus on the many needed changes in our communities that will improve our lives.
Janet Chandler
Mount Vernon
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