Greetings to All DA members,

We have wonderful news: The Ohio primaries has favored the Democrat Vote on Issue 1!

I am posting the arguments for All to weigh the reasons why the NO option on Issue 1 became the dominant force, strongly supported by the Democratic vote.

This is the summary of both arguments: (excerpt taken from The State Of Ohio)

The Ohio Legislature has voted to hold an election on August 8, 2023 to consider a statewide constitutional amendment  requiring  a vote of at least 60% of electors to approve any constitutional amendment and to modify the procedures for an initiative petition proposing a constitutional amendment. This is a full statewide and countywide election.

EXPLANATION FOR ISSUE 1

Issue 1 asks eligible Ohio voters to consider an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Ohio proposed by a two-thirds majority of the Ohio General Assembly.

The amendment, if approved, would elevate the standards by which the Constitution of the State of Ohio may be amended.

Any newly proposed constitutional amendment placed on a statewide ballot must receive at least 60 percent of the vote to be approved.

Any initiated petition proposing to amend the Constitution of the State of Ohio that is filed with the Secretary of State on or after January 1, 2024 must contain the signatures of at least five percent of the eligible voters residing in each county of the state.

Finally, the amendment specifies that new signatures may not be added to an initiative petition proposing to amend the Constitution of the State of Ohio once it has been filed with the Secretary of State on or after January 1, 2024.

Vote YES on Issue 1

Empower the People, Protect the Constitution.

A YES vote on Issue 1 protects our Constitution from deep-pocketed, out-of-state interests.

By passing Issue 1, the People will ensure constitutional changes are widely accepted and declare that Ohio’s Constitution is not for sale.

Currently, special interests target Ohio, seeking to inject their own personal views and objectives into our state’s most sacred document.

Why? Because Ohio is one of the few states that allow these interests to directly enshrine their social preferences and

corporate motives into the Constitution at the same threshold as everyday laws. Common sense tells us that this should not be the case.

Instead, our constitutional rights should be broadly supported and shielded from well-financed special interests.

Voting YES on Issue 1 strengthens our Constitution by:

• Elevating the standard.

By raising the threshold for constitutional amendments to 60%, the People will ensure amendments have widespread support and tell special interests that our Constitution is not up for grabs.

This will protect Ohio’s Constitution similar to the way the U.S. Constitution has been protected since our country’s founding.

• Empowering people across Ohio.

By requiring signatures from voters in every county, special interests will no longer be able to cherry pick where they gather signatures. Instead, starting January 1, 2024, a diverse and representative population of Ohioans will determine whether proposed amendments appear on the ballot.

• Eliminating second bites at the apple.

By restricting do-overs on signature submissions, starting January 1, 2024, special interests will have one chance to play by the rules when gathering signatures to place proposed amendments on the ballot.

We, the People, must have our voices heard on August 8th. Empower yourself and your fellow Ohioans. Protect the Constitution.

This argument was prepared by: Representative Brian Stewart and Senator Rob McColley

ARGUMENT AGAINST ISSUE 1

Vote “NO” on Issue 1

This amendment would destroy citizen-driven ballot initiatives as we know them, upending our right to make decisions that directly impact our lives. It takes away our freedom by undermining the sacred principle of ‘one person, one vote’ and destroys majority rule in Ohio

Last year, Ohio politicians eliminated August special elections saying, “Interest groups often manipulatively put issues on the ballot in August because they know fewer Ohioans are paying attention.” And yet here we are, voting in August on just one question: should Ohio permanently abolish the basic constitutional right of majority rule?

Special interests and corrupt politicians say yes. They don’t like voters making decisions, so they’re trying to rewrite the rules to get what they want: even more power.

Here’s why we’re confident Ohio citizens will resoundingly vote NO:

Issue 1 Ends Majority Rule: It means just 40% of voters can block any issue, putting 40% of voters in charge of decision-making for the majority.

Issue 1 Shreds Our Constitution: It would permanently undo constitutional protections that have been in place for over 100 years to check politicians’ power at the ballot box.

Issue 1 Takes Away Our Freedom: It would destroy citizen-driven ballot initiatives as we know them, guaranteeing that only wealthy special interests could advance changes to our constitution.

Issue 1 Applies to All Issues: If this amendment passes, it will apply to every single amendment on any issue Ohioans will ever vote on – you name it, just 40% of voters will decide. We all deserve to make decisions that impact our lives. We must protect our freedom to determine our future, not permanently change our constitution to give up our rights.

Vote NO.

Vote “NO” argument prepared by Senators Paula Hicks-Hudson and Vernon Sykes and Representatives Dontavius Jarrells, Bride Rose Sweeney, and Dani Isaacsohn.

Information was gathered from : http://www.ohiosos.gov

Results:

Votes against 57% - 1,744,094

Votes in favor  43% - 1,315,346

The voting results and the importance of the August 8, 2023 election in Ohio could be significant for a few reasons:

• Constitutional Amendment Process: If the constitutional amendment passes with at least 60% of the vote, it would create a higher threshold for future constitutional amendments to be approved. This could potentially make it more challenging to amend the state constitution, as a higher percentage of voter approval would be required.
• Protecting the Constitution: Proponents of requiring a higher percentage of voter approval argue that it ensures that changes to the state constitution are made only when there is strong and widespread support among the electorate. This could be seen as a way to protect the integrity and stability of the state's foundational legal document.
• Balance of Power: By modifying the procedures for initiative petitions proposing constitutional amendments, the outcome of the vote could impact the balance of power between elected representatives and direct citizen participation in shaping the constitution.
• Public Participation: The results could reflect the level of engagement and interest of the Ohio electorate in the constitutional amendment process. High voter turnout and active participation may indicate a strong commitment to shaping the state's legal framework.
• Legal Challenges: Depending on the outcome, there might be legal challenges or debates about the validity of the election or the implications of the changes to the constitutional amendment process.
• Long-Term Implications: Changes to the process of amending the state constitution can have long-term implications for governance, policy-making, and the rights of citizens. The outcome could shape the political landscape for years to come.
• Democratic Process: The election results will serve as an example of the democratic process in action, illustrating how citizens' voices influence decisions at the state level.

 The power of the vote is fundamental to keeping our civil rights alive!