LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Officials from the Ohio League of Women Voters and local unions coming out against State Issue 1.
The issue will be decided during a special election on August 8th and is looking to change how citizen-backed constitutional issues are approved in Ohio. Currently, it only takes a simple majority vote to change the state constitution, but if passed, State Issue 1 will require voters to approve any future changes by 60% or higher. The League of Women Voters and the unions say it could make it harder for Ohioans to amend the constitution when they believe politicians fail the state.
"This is a special election for special interest," says Jen Miller, Ex. Dir. League of Women Voters of Ohio. "Where special interests are trying to trick Ohioans into voting our own rights and freedoms away. The constitutional ballot initiative process is a means of holding politicians accountable when they fail us. It is a check on power. It is very difficult to do, only about 25% of constitutional ballot initiatives pass. But they have absolutely improved our daily lives."
Local union officials echoed their opposition to the statewide issue.
"A vote for Issue 1 is a vote against one person one voice. That is the be-all end-all of taking away your rights, your freedoms as a voter," says Chris Rader, Business Manager Laborers Local 329. "It is to silence your voice, it is aggressive. It is bad policy and it would be abused at a very high level."
"I think if they would want to do it and wanted truly to hear the will of the people, they would have done it during a November or May instead of doing a special ballot when nobody is going to show up to vote. I stand firmly against it and I will make sure that our membership gets out and vote no against it," says Jeff Adams, Pres. UAW Local 1219.
The last day to register to vote or change your voting information is July 10th, early voting will begin on July 11th.
June 20, 2023 Press Release from We are Ohio: LIMA - A local Lima coalition of labor and good government advocates held a press conference today to announce their unified opposition to State Issue 1 and why voting no in August will protect majority rule and preserve the sacred principle of one person one vote in Ohio.
“For more than 110 years, Ohio voters have had the freedom and right to put Constitutional amendments directly on the ballot with a simple majority. We need to preserve the sacred principle of one person one vote,” said Chris Rader, Laborers’ Local 329 Business Manager. “Now unions all across this state are working in a bi-partisan fashion at all levels of government to spur massive job creation and economic development. With so much opportunity in front of us, we believe Issue 1 is unnecessary and divisive. Working Ohioans are calling for more collaboration and less conflict. Vote No on Issue 1 on August 8.”
“We are going to protect majority rule by voting No on Issue 1 on August 8. We are going to preserve the sacred principle of one person, one vote by voting No on Issue 1 on August 8. We’re going to stand up to the powerful forces in Columbus and let them know the real power rests with the people of Ohio and the people of Ohio are voting No on Issue 1 on August 8,” said Jeffery Adams, President of UAW Local 1219.
“Voting No on Issue 1 is a vote to protect our rights and the sacred principle of one person, one vote. It will stop special interests from ending majority rule, and it will protect our freedom to determine our future. Why are the politicians in Columbus so intent to take away our freedoms? Power, pure and simple. When politicians fail us, ballot issues give us the freedom to make decisions that affect our lives,” said Jen Miller, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio.
