You may know that Issue 1 requires that future amendments to the Constitution of the State of Ohio receive the approval of at least 60% of eligible voters who vote on the amendment.
But did you also know the following?
The United States Constitution, the bedrock of our democracy, is only 19 pages long. It is composed of roughly 7,000 words, and it can fit in the pocket of a shirt or blouse. In its 236-year history it has been amended only 27 times, and the first ten amendments were the Bill of Rights.
On the other hand, using its current amendment process, Ohio’s Constitution has morphed into a 148-page monstrosity, composed of approximately 67,000 words. Since its inception in 1851, it has been amended 146 times, much of that in the last 50 years.
To say that our current process for changing Ohio’s Constitution has been misused would be an understatement. Does anyone really believe Ohio’s Constitution was intended as a way to designate specific parcels of land for use as privately owned Casinos or to give certain individuals monopolies to grow and sell medical marijuana?
Preventing future abuses of Ohio’s Constitution requires that we raise the threshold for change to a more appropriate level. Constitutions are not meant to be easily changed. A 60% vote of the electorate, as proposed by Issue 1, is a reasonable requirement. If you are not certain, please consider this:
Issue 1 better aligns Ohio’s Constitution with the United States Constitution and the constitutions of several other states and prominent political organizations, some of who clearly lean liberal. In several instances it is even more voter initiative friendly:
For instance, it takes 75% of the states to amend the US Constitution.
Our Fellow midwestern State of Illinois already requires a supermajority of 60% to change its constitution.
The Ohio Democratic Party and the League of Women Voters require 60% and 75% of their members respectively to approve changes to their charters.
32 states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin do NOT even allow citizen led initiatives to amend their constitutions.
Nevada requires that its state legislatures approve a proposed constitutional amendment twice in two separate and consecutive legislative years before voters can consider it at the ballot box.
Please also consider this:
Passage of Issue 1 will NOT end majority rule. Ohio’s voters will still be able to use Ballot Initiatives to propose changes to Ohio’s laws by a simple majority vote, per Article 2 of the Ohio Constitution.
Passage of Issue 1 will still allow Ohio voters to use Voter Referendums to repeal laws passed by the General Assembly, also by a simple majority vote, per Article 2 of the Ohio Constitution.
And a 60% voter approval threshold will make it more likely that advocates for change will have to reach across the aisle, collaborate and compromise to craft proposals that have broad non-partisan support.
In an era where special interest groups try to hijack elections with false narratives and multi-million-dollar ad campaigns, it is important that we protect Ohio’s Constitution. Issue 1 does that.
Don’t Believe the Lies…Protect Our Constitution
Please Vote YES on Issue 1 on August 8th.