To the Editor:

We can all agree that good citizenship requires us to stay informed and participate fully in the democratic process. Issue 1 will disempower Ohio citizens. It will change a practice instituted by Ohio citizens in 1912 that gave us the right to place constitutional amendments on the ballot, a right that enables us to fully participate in our democracy.

Politicians are elected to office by a simple majority (50% +1). Similarly, a simple majority is currently needed to pass ballot issues. Issue 1 proposes two changes regarding citizen-led ballot issues. It requires a supermajority of 60%. Furthermore, it will drastically change the current petition process that is required in order to place an issue on the ballot.

Currently, citizens must collect a certain percentage of signatures in half of Ohio counties (44). Issue 1 will make that process far more difficult. It requires that signatures be collected in all 88 counties. We all know how much time and effort it takes volunteers to collect signatures. The requirement to collect in every county will virtually ensure that citizen-led issues will not make it to the ballot.

Issue 1 is a power-grab by corrupt politicians and big business, the very same problems that Ohio citizens addressed with success in 1912. Another irony: our State Legislature decided to put this confusingly worded proposal on the ballot in a costly August special election when poor voter turnout is practically a guarantee, despite the Ohio Legislature seeking in April to ban most August special elections due to cost and low turnout. Constitutional amendments are serious matters that deserve clearer wording and more time for public education before they are placed on regular, rather than special election ballots. The last time a constitutional amendment was on the ballot in August was when Babe Ruth played for the Yankees, who at the time had won only one World Series (1923)! The decision by the Legislature to place it on the ballot in a special August election is questionable and even cynical. Furthermore, county boards of election were not in favor of putting the issue on the ballot in a special election because of the cost. Currently underfunded by the Legislature, the August election will cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

I urge all citizens to vote to preserve our democracy by voting No on Issue 1.

Miriam Dean-Otting

Gambier