DAYTON, Ohio – In a bipartisan forum, former republican Gov. Bob Taft and former democratic Representative Michael Curtin told a crowd of Dayton-area voters why they oppose Issue 1.

The issue would change the way citizens could amend the Ohio constitution, raising the threshold for a ballot initiative to require a 60% majority to pass, rather than a simple majority as it is now. The issue will be on the ballot in a special August election. 

 

What You Need To Know

  • Issue 1 aims to make it more difficult for voters to change the Ohio Constitution

  • Opponents say the issue would take away a vital check on the state legislature

  • Supporters say it leaves policy to legislatures and ensures any amendments appeal to a true majority of Ohioans

  • The election will take place Aug. 8

The Dayton League of Women Voters hosted the forum, with Nick Hrkman of the Dayton Daily News serving as the moderator.

Curtin opened the discussion explaining the history behind Ohio’s amendment process, acknowledging it’s one of just 18 states that allows citizen-led ballot initiatives, and one of just 14 that allows those measures to pass by simple majority.

To him, that’s an important opportunity for voters to provide a check on the legislative branch.

“A state constitution is a living document. This is an 1851 document. There’s a lot of things that need to be updated to reflect the times,” he said.

A 60% requirement is not unprecedented, however. States like Florida and Illinois require that threshold for constitutional amendments.

Supporters of Issue 1, say raising the threshold would ensure any changes to the constitution appeal to the vast majority of Ohioans. In a previous interview with Spectrum News, Mike Gonidakis with Ohio Right to Life, explained he believes policy-making should be left to the legislature.

“Our constitution is not a policy document, that’s why we elect men and women to be state reps and state senators and we have a governor,” he said. “Let’s debate those issues, abortion, minimum wage, family farming, in the statehouse, in this building, not in the state constitution.”

If passed, the issue would apply to all ballot initiative efforts, but the timing and some Republican statements have implied the primary target is current efforts to get an abortion-rights amendment on the November ballot.

To Taft, who said he hadn’t yet made up his mind about the proposed abortion-rights amendment, blocking a specific issue isn’t a good enough reason to change the constitution, especially during a typically low-turnout August election.

“A majority vote is what we’ve had for over 100 years in Ohio, so I don’t think it needs to change,” he said.

Voters have until July 10 to register for the Aug. 8 election. Early voting on Issue 1 starts July 11.