8 reasons for why Issue 1 is wrong for all Ohioans, even conservatives

(This opinion article represents the collective viewpoint of the Akron Beacon Journal’s Editorial Board, which includes two editors and four community members.)

Ohioans have never seen anything quite like Issue 1 appearing on a rare August special election ballot with just one question.

The issue is a constitutional amendment changing the long-standing right of Ohio citizens to propose constitutional amendments if they follow a rigorous process to collect hundreds of thousands of signatures from registered voters and earn a majority of voters' approval.

Issue 1 would raise the requirement for approval to 60 percent and make it far more difficult (some say impossible) to get issues on the ballot.

Here's why we oppose Issue 1 and urge voters to soundly reject handing over more of their rights to self-serving politicians.

1. August election wrong, if not illegal

Ohio lawmakers largely banned August elections last year, correctly arguing important community decisions should not be made in elections where few people participate.

But Republicans seeking to defeat an abortion rights amendment in November's election abandoned those principles by placing Issue 1 before voters in August, wasting as much as $20 million and further stressing overworked local boards of elections.

They now concede turnout could be less than 10 percent, which if true, means a very small minority of Ohioans would be making a decision with lasting implications.

That's wrong.

2. Voters can be trusted to do the right thing

Republicans argue Issue 1 would prevent out-of-state special interests from harming Ohio with various political schemes they seek to enshrine in Ohio's constitution.

There's some truth to that concern, but there's ample evidence to show it's overstated and flawed.

First, Ohio voters are smarter than politicians give us credit for. In 2018, 63% of Ohioans rejected a poor proposal to reduce penalties for drug use and possession following a robust campaign from politicians, police and judges and even criticism from the media.

In fact, 73% of citizen amendments have failed. There are no examples of frivolous issues passing.

And with the 60 percent standard, if a flawed proposal would somehow be approved, it would be even more difficult to fix it with another vote.

3. Majority rules in a democracy

School levies pass if at least 50% plus one vote yes. Candidates win races by earning more votes. Those with fewer votes lose.

Trust in government would visibly erode if 59% of voters supported an issue and lost. It's undemocratic and discourages citizen participation. That's not in anyone's best interests.

Issue 1 also would require petitioners to collect a specific number of signatures from every county in Ohio, instead of the current requirement of 44 of 88 counties. Thus, one county could stop a petition campaign before it even begins. That's also undemocratic.

The 60% requirement is bad enough, but the rest of Issue 1 is truly awful.

4. Citizens should preserve their power

The petition process implemented in 1912 gives voters an avenue for holding lawmakers accountable should they ignore the will of the people.

That's what happened in 2012 and 2015 when citizen-led amendments improved the process for redistricting Ohio's Congressional and Statehouse districts after the 10-year census. Both issues won by wide margins, but would face tall odds against even getting to voters with Issue 1's more stringent requirements.

This is the only issue-specific citizen power that's binding on Ohio lawmakers. Yes, laws can be initiated and repealed by citizen petition efforts, but there's nothing stopping lawmakers from changing those laws.

With special interests and lobbyists influencing lawmakers at every turn, citizens need to maintain power to push new ideas and hold politicians accountable.

Issue 1 would kill any hope of improving the fairness of Ohio's political districts. We already know politicians can't be trusted to craft their own districts. They ignored voters and unfavorable court rulings last year.

5. It's bad policy for conservatives

Issue 1 is bad policy for everyone, not just those who support abortion rights. Conservatives should be wary of a time when our political balance flips and they find themselves in the minority. That reality is inevitable, especially with Ohio Republicans abusing their power at every opportunity.

Lawmakers also are tying their own hands. Since 1913, nearly 70% of amendment votes have been requested by lawmakers, not citizens.

About 44% of all issues have failed and 33% passed with less than 60% of the vote, including term limits for the governor, property tax limits, raising the minimum wage and allowing four casinos. Thus, only 23% of past issues would have passed under the proposed standard.

Since 2000, three issues — environmental conservation and revitalization projects in 2002, creating jobs and growth in 2005 and preventing amendments for personal gains in 2015 — would have failed under the new standard.

The latter was a wise effort to prevent amendments from people seeking to line their own pockets.

Be careful of unintended consequences.

6. Republicans lied about motives

When talk of this issue first surfaced last fall, Republicans denied it was intended to stop any effort to enshrine abortion rights into our constitution. They've now admitted to this lie and are urging those who oppose abortion to vote yes.

The issue also was pushed with more than $1 million from a billionaire activist in Illinois while Republicans claimed their proposal was intended to stop out-of-state interests.

Republicans then adopted misleading ballot language misrepresenting the issue to voters.

Sadly, Statehouse Republicans can't be trusted on this issue.

7. Let Ohioans vote fairly on abortion, other issues

Abortion has dominated public discourse across America for generations, with conservatives fighting for 49 years to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision granting women abortion rights.

In the 2022 ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, justices wrote that each state should be free to allow or limit abortions.

So, we believe Ohioans deserve a fair majority rules vote on abortion. If it loses, it loses, although past polls have suggested strong support for abortion rights.

It's cheating to move the goal posts for abortion, let alone every issue.

8. One-party rule harms Ohio

We would oppose Issue 1 even if the tables were turned and Democrats were pushing this concept.

It's not healthy for either party to enjoy supermajority status where accountability becomes nearly impossible without FBI involvement.

If voters relinquish this power, lawmakers will be largely freed from the possibility of being overridden by the public and even more protected in their gerrymandered districts, not to mention emboldened to pursue every right-wing fever dream.

Ohio stands on the precipice of a darker future where corrupt one-party rule will further accelerate our state's long-term economic decline.

A no vote begins Ohio's recovery and gives our democracy a chance.

Voting?: What to know about early voting for Aug. 8 special election on Issue 1

Issue 1 in-depth: How 60% rule would have changed Ohio Constitution

Want to vote by mail for August? Here's what to know about ballot requests

Abortion in Ohio: What does proposed constitutional amendment say?

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio Issue 1 2023: 8 reasons for why it's bad for everyone