By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
League of Women Voters and other opponents of Issue 1 want Ohio voters to not be hoodwinked by the state legislature’s sleight of hand. They want voters to have a clear view of what is at risk with Issue 1.
First, Republican leaders have squeezed a state issue on the August ballot – months after the same legislators banned statewide elections in August.
Second, if passed, the ballot issue would require 60% – instead of 50% plus one – of Ohio voters to pass a voter-initiated amendment. That would make it nearly impossible for any voter initiative to pass.
Third, many believe this ballot issue is being rushed through in an effort to stop the reproductive rights amendment on the November ballot. Though bill backers initially denied that purpose, legislators and state officials have let it slip multiple times within earshot of the media that Issue 1 would be the demise of any pro-choice efforts in Ohio.
And lastly, if passed, the 60% threshold will have a far-reaching effect on any attempts that Ohio voters make to initiate statewide issues for years to come.
“The politicians in Columbus are failing us right now,” Jen Miller, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio, said during a stop in Bowling Green on Tuesday. She met at the Wood County Senior Center with a coalition of labor organizers, faith leaders, and opponents of Issue 1.
They met to protect majority rule in Ohio and preserve the sacred principle of one person one vote.
“This will permanently change how we can change the constitution,” Miller said. If it passes, the issue would put even more power in the hands of “extreme, out-of-touch politicians, who want to trick us into revoking our rights.”
Many at the rally voiced their anger over Issue 1.
“You have a right to be angry” about the loss of democracy, Miller said.
For more than 110 years, Ohio voters have secured the sacred principle of one voice, one vote, said Erika White, local president of the Communications Workers of America.
“This is undemocratic,” White said. “It gives 40% of the people the power to block the majority.”
Voters want more collaboration and less conflict in their state legislators, she said. And they deserve a chance to have each person’s vote carry the same weight.
“There are a lot of people who don’t even know there’s an Aug. 8 election,” White said.
Rev. Dr. Amariah McIntosh, representing the Ohio Council of Churches, including 18 Christian denominations, questioned the self-proclaimed “Christian voice” of the state legislature that is pushing for Issue 1.
“This is a matter of justice,” McIntosh said. “Not political – but it is Biblical.”
“Justice is important for all people,” she said. “Every citizen’s voice in this state deserves to be heard.”
McIntosh also referenced sponsors of Issue 1 defending the bill as an effort to keep out-of-state special interests out of Ohio. However, it has been revealed that $6 million in TV ads supporting Issue 1 are being financed by an out-of-state billionaire.
Miller suggested those at the rally need to apply the “mine and nine” plan to voting in August, which is traditionally a low turnout election. Each aware voter needs to reach out to nine others and tell them:
- Why it’s important to vote “no” in the Aug. 8 election.
- To check polling locations, since those may have changed for the special election.
- To check new rules if voting by absentee ballot.
- Ask those voters each to reach out to nine more voters.
“This direct attack on democracy will not stand,” Miller said.
Ohio already sets a high bar for voter initiated issues. Less than 30% of the issues meet the 50% threshold.
“It’s already very hard,” she said.
Issue 1 also requires signatures from 5% of the voters in the last gubernatorial election in all 88 counties – instead of the current 44 county requirement. Plus it takes away the 10-day cure period to clean up clerical issues found on petitions.
“It means only deep pocketed groups” could pass amendments, said Tiffany McKee, a member of the local United Steelworkers Union. “It would be dang near impossible” for anyone else.
Meanwhile, Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman has proposed underfunding the August election by allocating $15 million for it in the state budget, compared to the $20 million spent in the August 2022 election. This is expected to stretch county boards of election resources and hamper their ability to conduct the election, especially in Ohio’s most populous counties, which are most likely to oppose the amendment.
Miller pointed out that four previous governors, from both parties – Republicans John Kasich and Bob Taft, and Democrats Ted Strickland and Dick Celeste – oppose Issue 1.
Despite the tough odds, magnified by the gerrymandered state legislature, Miller said she expects Ohio voters to rise up for their rights.
“I believe the people in Ohio will vote ‘no’ in August,” she said.
In Bowling Green, the League of Women Voters is working to get the word out.
“We want to make sure we talk to everyone we know, to let them know there’s an election in the middle of the summer,” said LWV member Lee McLaird.
She expressed her frustration with the state legislators banning August elections – until it served their purpose.
“If you’re going to make a rule, follow through,” McLaird said. “We want to keep it honest.”
