The new anti-gerrymandering rules the Ohio Redistricting Commission ignored were created via constitutional amendments in 20, which passed with 71% and 75% of the vote respectively (so much for that 60% “broad consensus” argument). Just last year, members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, a newly created panel to redraw state legislative and congressional districts, thumbed their nose at the seven different Supreme Court of Ohio rulings saying the maps they created were unconstitutional gerrymanders. We’ve had two different House Speakers (the leader of that chamber) be investigated by the FBI for corruption and bribery, leading one to resign in disgrace, and the other indicted and convicted for selling legislation. Look back at Ohio’s political history over the past ten years and you’ll see a culture at the General Assembly that makes Tammany Hall look like Sunday school. 1 state when it comes to public corruption.” Unfortunately, this title is well deserved. Ohio has recently earned the distinguished title of the “ No. If you want to protect the right of Ohioans to make decisions that impact our future, join me in voting NO on Issue 1 on August 8th. If you think Ohioans have too big a voice in deciding the future of our state, vote yes on Issue 1. Instead, the new scheme for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments included in Issue 1 flip the scales in favor of the very foes supporters of Issue 1 say the amendment is designed thwart.Īll Issue 1 will do is make it nearly impossible for citizen groups to amend our constitution ending a right the people of Ohio have had for over 110 years. The proposed changes to our constitution in Issue 1 are exclusively targeted at making sure a majority of Ohioans – 50% +1 - is an insufficient voting block to amend our foundational document. First of all, it’s just been proven in federal court that the General Assembly can be willing to buy and sell legislation just like any other commodity, so if they are really concerned with stopping special interests from buying laws, they should look to bolster Ohio’s lobbying and transparency guardrails to make sure the HB6 corruption scandal isn’t repeated. Issue 1 does nothing to keep out-of-state special interests from coming into Ohio and buying their preferred policy outcomes. The key question is, from whom are they protecting our Constitution? The answer is – a majority of Ohioans. In fairness, they are desperately attempting to protect our Constitution. They deem their effort the “Protect Ohio’s Constitution” campaign. Just look at how Issue 1 supporters are framing their argument. The purpose of Issue 1 is to silence the majority of Ohioans, and subject us to the policy preferences of a small group of extremists who have secured the favor of our unconstitutionally gerrymandered legislature. The purpose of Issue 1 is as simple as it is disturbing. Though I could rattle off numerous different reasons why Issue 1 deserves to be crumpled up and thrown in the dustbin of history – right next to infamous Senate Bill 5, I’ll spare you, and just share my top five. There is no single reason why Ohioans should discard this brazen attempt by politicians and special interests to trick them into giving up our own power. But WHY I, along with countless others, choose to reject Issue 1 is as diverse as the people of the great state of Ohio. Of course, we shouldn’t, and that’s why I’ll be casting a “NO” vote on Issue 1 on August 8th. The question is: Should Ohioans break from 110 years of our history and make it harder for citizens to amend our constitution? On August 8, 2023, Ohioans will be asked to decide one of the most consequential elections in our lifetime.
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