Is Democracy Under Attack In Ohio?
07/01/2023
Ohio has proposed a change in the State Constitution to raise the simple majority of votes up to 60% of the vote for ballot initiative to change the State of Ohio Constitution.
There will be a special August 8th election to offer this change up in what can only be viewed as the most anti-democratic action we have ever seen. Republicans cannot want this, democrats cannot want this, so this begs the question; what is behind this and what is the purpose? This is terrible for democracy. The answer is that this is a preemptive strike in an attempt to block a ballot initiative from taking place in the fall election that has really gained traction. There is a large group of individuals and organized groups that are amassing over 400,000 signature to present a pro-choice measure on the ballot this fall. Should this receive 50% of the vote, as current polls say it will, it will pass, according to our currently constitution and become law without state legislature’s interference. So it is believed if they pass a 60% threshold this will deny the votes in Ohio the ability to amend the State Constitution by a petition and ballot initiative by the will of the people. The only way to stand up to this change in the threshold is to defeat it. Show up to the polls in the middle of August and defeat it! Whatever the initiative is, the will of the people should always stand! To do anything less is just anti democratic and just another step towards fascism.
This seems to be just the latest in a long line of anti-democratic actions, such as the State’s gerrymandering efforts. The republican leadership led by Frank LaRose submitted a gerrymandered plan three times. This comes after the citizens of Ohio voted to put an end to partisan gerrymandering in a previous election. The republican controlled Ohio Supreme Court struck down LaRose’s plan all three times stating that it was unconstitutional, yet he just did not care and continues to defy the Court.
So how does this get resolved? One, get out and vote on August 8th and protect your right to petition with a majority voice! The bonus just may be the ablity to protect women’s rights.
Secondly, voting on August 8th will show that Ohio is serious about democracy and these gerrymandering tactics will not succeed and the public should always have its voice and put an end to rigging the rules against democracy.
There will be a special August 8th election to offer this change up in what can only be viewed as the most anti-democratic action we have ever seen. Republicans cannot want this, democrats cannot want this, so this begs the question; what is behind this and what is the purpose? This is terrible for democracy. The answer is that this is a preemptive strike in an attempt to block a ballot initiative from taking place in the fall election that has really gained traction. There is a large group of individuals and organized groups that are amassing over 400,000 signature to present a pro-choice measure on the ballot this fall. Should this receive 50% of the vote, as current polls say it will, it will pass, according to our currently constitution and become law without state legislature’s interference. So it is believed if they pass a 60% threshold this will deny the votes in Ohio the ability to amend the State Constitution by a petition and ballot initiative by the will of the people. The only way to stand up to this change in the threshold is to defeat it. Show up to the polls in the middle of August and defeat it! Whatever the initiative is, the will of the people should always stand! To do anything less is just anti democratic and just another step towards fascism.
This seems to be just the latest in a long line of anti-democratic actions, such as the State’s gerrymandering efforts. The republican leadership led by Frank LaRose submitted a gerrymandered plan three times. This comes after the citizens of Ohio voted to put an end to partisan gerrymandering in a previous election. The republican controlled Ohio Supreme Court struck down LaRose’s plan all three times stating that it was unconstitutional, yet he just did not care and continues to defy the Court.
So how does this get resolved? One, get out and vote on August 8th and protect your right to petition with a majority voice! The bonus just may be the ablity to protect women’s rights.
Secondly, voting on August 8th will show that Ohio is serious about democracy and these gerrymandering tactics will not succeed and the public should always have its voice and put an end to rigging the rules against democracy.