Most Ohioans believe deeply in majority rule. We believe that the way our constitution currently provides for citizen issues to be voted on is fair and makes our state better. We can demonstrate our commitment to these values by voting NO on Issue 1.
Unfortunately, the Ohio legislature is seeking to strip us of these rights through Issue 1. And they are spreading misinformation to confuse us into voting away our rights.
They would have us believe that voting yes will protect our state constitution. It won’t. The changes in Issue 1 will make it virtually impossible for any except the super-wealthy elites to put “citizen” initiatives on the ballot in the future. In fact, support for Issue 1 is currently being bankrolled by a wealthy donor from Illinois.
They would have us believe that the Ohio Constitution is radically different from other state constitutions. It is not. All state constitutions are longer, typically much longer than the U.S. Constitution. And more than a third of the states allow for citizen-led ballot initiatives that are decided by a simple majority of voters.
They would have us believe Issue 1 is all about abortion. It’s not. State legislators have admitted that they don’t want future amendments that would stop the extreme gerrymandering in our state; these legislators want to solidify their power. Voting yes means we give the current politicians unchecked power.
They would have us believe that citizens will still be able to propose initiatives through citizen-led statutory initiatives. However, statutory initiatives create laws (unlike constitutional initiatives). So, the legislature can immediately override voter results by passing another law. Since the legislature refuses to address popular issues like a living wage, or ending gerrymandering, or ensuring reproductive rights, constitutional amendments are the only avenue Ohio voters have to address important issues.
Instead of Issue 1, the legislature could have placed an issue that would ensure ballot initiatives are citizen-driven; or they could have refused funding from out-of-state donors to bankroll Issue 1. Instead, they chose to put Issue 1 on the ballot, stripping away the only mode of direct democracy available to everyday citizens.
Now, these same legislative leaders pushing Issue 1 are resorting to hypocrisy and misinformation. We can refuse to be fooled and stand strong for our rights to have a say in our future by voting No on Issue 1.
Judith Crouse
Gambier
