People around the state have a lot of questions when it comes to Issue 1. What is Issue 1? Why is the Ohio Secretary of State calling for this special election? What does this mean for we Ohioans?
What is Issue 1?
Secretary Frank LaRose explained Issue 1 in a recent report, saying, “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 stands 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 filled with the Secretary of State on or after Jan 1, 2024, must contain the signatures of at least five percent of the eligible voters residing in each county of the state,” he added.
“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 Jan 1, 2024,” LaRose stated.
Since 1912, Ohio has used a simple majority requiring more than half of the votes to pass a constitutional amendment in the state. The passing of Issue 1 would mean that to be able to pass or ratify an amendment in the Ohio State Constitution, it would need to be able to pass with a 60% majority vote, rather than the usual 50% plus one as is usual for most elections nation-wide. It also means that just the number of signatures that go on petitions are void: only the number of signatures in each of Ohio’s 88 counties, rather than in 44 counties, are counted. It would also remove the 10-day period for petitioners to gather additional signatures for a constitutional amendment if they filed an insufficient number of signatures from each of Ohio’s counties.
The measure is controversial and subject to legal challenges. Proponents, including most state Republican leaders, say it is necessary to prevent outside special interest influence in Ohio’s constitution. Opponents point out that the measure is clearly aimed at defeating a November election ballot measure to protect abortion rights in Ohio.
What does this mean for Ohioans?
If this Issue is passed, it will take power away from the people of Ohio, making it harder for our voices to be heard, opponents of Issue 1 claim.
Not sure where to vote in person? Check this website here and enter your information to find your polling location: https://voterlookup.ohiosos.gov/VoterLookup.aspx
Important election dates:
Aug 1 Absentee ballot applications are due to your local board of elections by 8:30 p.m. Aug 7 Mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by then. Aug 8 Polls are open on Election Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you haven't mailed your completed absentee ballot, you can return it to your board of elections by 7:30 p.m. Aug 12 Absentee ballots that were postmarked on or before Aug 7 must be returned to boards of elections by this day.
According to news.wosu.org, to cast your vote in person, Ohio voters now must show a valid state or federally issued photo ID to cast a ballot at the polls. This includes:
· Ohio driver’s license
· State of Ohio ID card
· Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
· US passport
· US passport card
· US military ID card
· Ohio National Guard ID card
· US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
All photo IDs must also have the following:
· An expiration date that has not passed
· A photograph of the voter
· The voter’s name as it appears in the Poll List or in the Poll Book
Early Voting Days:
· July 11-14: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
· July 17-21: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
· July 24-28: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
· July 31: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
· Aug 1: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
· Aug 2-4: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
· Aug 5: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
· Aug 6: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
During this special election, take time to consider using your voice, because every vote counts.
Kay Tillie Peters
Staff Writer