DEAR EDITOR:

The supermajority in Columbus, in unprincipled fashion, reinstated August elections, which they outlawed in December, with hopes that a low voter turnout election will deliver victory. Ohioans should see through this maneuver to diminish our voice at the ballot box. As the Aug. 8 vote approaches, the argument to vote “no” on Issue 1 is strong.

Amendments through the initiative petition process is a power Ohio voters have had since 1912. It gives citizens ability to act when state government fails. Also, majority rule is a fundamental principle upon which this great nation is based. Voting yes transfers all future power on citizen-led amendments to the minority, giving substantial leverage to 40 percent of voters, despite the will of the majority. Ohio voters should not abandon majority rule and diminish our authority at the ballot box.

By suggesting the passage threshold be raised to 60 percent, legislators are implying voters can’t be trusted. Quite the contrary; since 1912, Ohio voters have voted on 71 initiative amendments, passing only 19. Ohio voters have historically exercised excellent discernment when casting their ballot. Issue 1 appears to be a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.

Proponents argue the goal is to protect our Constitution from out-of-state special interests. However, the proposal is a cookie cutter policy from the Foundation for Government Accountability, a Florida-based think tank. Additionally, the multi-million dollar ad buy in the spring to pressure many Republicans in the General Assembly into supporting the resolution for Issue 1 was financed by Illinois billionaire, Richard Uihlein. Ironic indeed!

The reality is Issue 1 would make more difficult the already cumbersome process of getting an issue on the ballot by requiring signatures of voters in all 88 counties, rather than the 44 counties currently required. If Issue 1 passes, special interest groups will be the only ones able to tackle the Herculean task of obtaining required signatures in all Ohio counties.

Moreover, Issue 1 may have unintended consequences. For instance, it will be more difficult for Ohio to sell bonds when the state needs to exceed the $750,000 debt limit in the constitution. This will hamper our ability to address future infrastructure needs and economic development, such as Ohio’s Third Frontier, which passed through the amendment process.

Further, in 2022, South Dakota and Arkansas, states traditionally redder than Ohio, defeated their 60 percent threshold issue with 67 percent and 59 percent “no” votes, respectively. Ohioans should follow suit.

Restraint of the supermajority’s unbridled thirst for power is needed, and Ohio voters are the ones to provide that restraint. We should be very wary of shrinking the power of our vote.

Protect majority rule by voting “no” on Issue 1.

A.J. CALDERONE

Bristol