Chillicothe-Ross
League of Women Voters

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The proposed amendment would:

 

Point 1:   Require that any proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Ohio receive the approval of at least 60 percent of eligible voters voting on the proposed amendment.

 

Point 2:   Require that any initiative petition filed on or after January 1, 2024 with the Secretary of State proposing to amend the Constitution of the State of Ohio be signed by at least five percent of the electors of each county based on the total vote in the county for governor in the last preceding election.

 

Point 3:   Specify that additional signatures may not be added to an initiative 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 proposing to amend the Constitution of the State of Ohio.

 

 

 

 

Point 1: Changing the percent of voters required to amend the Constitution of the State of Ohio from 50%+1 to 60%

Ohio has allowed amendments to the Ohio Constitution via citizen-led initiatives and proposals from the General Assembly to be approved by a 50%+1percentage for over one hundred years. The current state legislature is requesting that the threshold for passage move to 60% and that the process for obtaining petition signatures become one of the most rigorous in the country.  What is the value of Citizen based initiatives?

 

What citizen initiatives have passed with less than 60% of the vote since 2000?

In 2006 the Minimum Wage was increased by citizen initiative. The vote 57% yes 43% no.

In 2014 the assurance that Ohioans can choose their own healthcare passed by 53% to 47%.

A NO vote will maintain the process as it has been for over 100 years. The campaign slogan "One person, One Vote" refers to the value of a simple majority to have a voice. "Protect the Constitution and Protect the Voter" is the campaign slogan.

 

A YES vote will make future initiatives difficult. The 60% change is only part of the language.

 

Point 2: Require that any initiative petition filed on or after January 1, 2024 with the Secretary of State proposing to amend the Constitution of the State of Ohio be signed by at least five percent of the electors of each county based on the total vote in the county for governor in the last preceding election.  The cost of running a campaign will skyrocket as signatures will be required from all 88 instead of 44 counties.
The campaign slogan is "Protect our Constitution."

Are there too many amendments to the Ohio Constitution? Since 2000 there have been 20 amendments. Fifteen amendments originated from the General Assembly, and five were from citizen initiatives. Does the data suggest a need for change?  Vote by August 8.