The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 2, 2023

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

Early voting for Ohio’s Aug. 8th special election is robust, as voters consider raising the threshold for a ballot initiative to win to a 60% margin.   At stake in Issue 1 is a 112-year-old precedent of a 50%+ 1 simple majority rule  — and an attempt to derail a reproductive freedom ballot question slated for November’s election.

The Ohio Capital Journal reports that in a televised debate last week, the 60% supermajority was defended by no less than Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a highly irregular action for a chief elections officer.

While Issue 1 isn’t directly about abortion rights, the Secretary of State’s office said last week the coalition collecting signatures for the reproductive rights ballot question exceeded the needed signatures among 44 counties.  In addition to a 60% margin, Issue 1 would require FUTURE initiatives to collect signatures in all 88 Ohio counties. 

Although the deadline passes Aug. 1st to request & mail an absentee ballot, early voting at election centers continues August 2nd to the 4th, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., August 5th, 8 to 4, and August 6th, 1 to  5.  August 8th, polls will be open 6:30 AM to 7:30 p.m.

We have links to articles about Issue 1, and details on when, how and where to vote in Ohio at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.   I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
BallotPedia – Ohio Issue 1, 60% Vote Requirement to Approve Constitutional Amendments Measure (2023)
Ohio Capital Journal – Early vote figures continue their tear in Ohio’s August special election
Ohio Capital Journal – Issue 1 debate brings the fight over how to amend Ohio’s constitution statewide
Ohio Capital Journal – (Opinion) Author of book on Ohio Constitution warns against Issue 1 changing 111 years of Ohio voter power
Ohio Capital Journal – Ohio abortion rights amendment headed for November ballot
Columbus Dispatch – Tuesday is the deadline for mail-in ballot requests for Aug. 8 election.

Ohio Secretary of State – Voting Dates & Times for Aug. 8th Special Election
WOSU – Ohio voter guide: What to know about the August special election
Ohio Secretary of State – Find My Polling Place Tool

Groups Taking Action:
One Person One Vote, Ohio Voter Rights Coalition, Ohio Citizen Action, Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, All Voting is Local

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #OhioPolitics #OnePersonOneVote

The post Aug. 8 Referendum Changing Ohio’s Threshold for a Ballot Initiative to Win Holds a 112-Year-Old Precedent and Reproductive Rights in the Balance appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 4, 2023

Today’s Script:  (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the script

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

America’s voters should pay attention to an Ohio state constitutional amendment to make its statewide ballot initiative process harder. The process to pass it is just about as ugly as the anti-voter resolution itself.

The Ohio House & Senate passed House Joint Resolution 1 in March, which raises the bar to pass statewide citizen ballot initiatives to 60% from the simple 50%+1 majority in place since 1912.  The proposed hurdle now needs voter ratification – urgently in the eyes of those who want to stop a proposal to constitutionally enshrine abortion rights headed for the November ballot.

What’s a gerrymandered legislature to do?  The Ohio Capital Journal reports that Senate Bill 92 restores an August 8th special election date which had been eliminated just months ago because of low turnout, just 8% on average, and it’s expense, estimated at $20 million dollars.  Those statistics didn’t deter the Ohio Senate from passing SB 92, or in the House, where it’s likely to pass before May 10th.  Governor Mike DeWine has pledged to sign it – despite having just signed the bill to repeal it last year.

The formidable bipartisan opposition includes former Ohio governors and over 200 groups, but so far, the legislature seems more interested in partisanship than precedent or people. 

We have links to the legislation, articles, and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl. 

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
BallotPedia – History of Initiative & Referendum in Ohio
Office of the Ohio Attorney General – Current Ballot Initiative and Referendum Processes
Ohio House – House Joint Resolution 1 

Ohio Capital Journal – Revived measure to require 60% for Ohio constitutional amendments gets first hearing
Associated Press – Abortion-rights proposal moves a step closer to Ohio ballot
Ohio Capitol Journal – Ohio House begins hearings to bring back August elections
The Columbus Dispatch – Ex-Ohio GOP Govs. John Kasich, Bob Taft blast plan to make it harder to amend constitution
Cleveland.com – Gov. Mike DeWine says he would sign bill allowing August election to decide constitution change
Ohio Capital Journal – (Commentary)  Bipartisan opposition makes Ohio Republican August election, minority-rule power grab look absurd

Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause OH Action page, League of Women Voters OH, Ohio Voter Rights Coalition, All Voting is Local

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #DirectDemocracy

The post Ohio Legislature Forcing Through Restoration of Aug. 8th Election to Pass Hurdles for Citizen Ballot Initiatives & Block Potential Abortion Rights Measure appeared first on American Democracy Minute.