Group Suing Ohio To Stop August Special Election On Making Constitutional Changes Tougher!

FEATURED PHOTOl: JEN MILLER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTER OHIO

ABC6ONYOURSIDE.com, Posted May 17th 2023

A lawsuit was filed Friday challenging the special election in August passed by Ohio lawmakers this week.

The purpose of the special election is for voters to approve or deny an amendment that requires any future constitutional amendment to be approved by at least 60% of the voters.

It would also eliminate the ten-day cure period to gather additional signatures and require petition signatures from at least 5% of the electors of each county in the state, instead of half of the counties.

The lawsuit, filed in Ohio’s supreme court, calls the August special election “unlawful,” noting Ohio outlawed such elections just five months ago.

It also notes the opposition of former state officials such as all of the living ex-governors, five of Ohio’s seven living former attorneys general, and the Ohio Association of Election Officials.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is quoted in the lawsuit for his support for Substitute House Bill 458 that outlawed the August special elections.

“[August special elections] aren’t good for taxpayers, election officials, voters or the civic health of our state.”

Those elections generally have abysmal voter turnout, and this election could have a price tag of $20 million.

Supporters say it’ll keep special interests away from the state constitution.

“Curtailing the ability of special interests to buy amendments to benefit themselves first and the public a distant second is something both parties should support,” Republican State Representative Brian Stewart, the sponsor of the resolution authorizing the special election, said.

The Ohio Republican Party said raising the threshold would protect Ohio’s constitution.

“The Ohio Constitution is a foundational document that should absolutely have a higher threshold to amend, and I am confident Ohio voters will agree in August.”

Critics say the special election is to stop an effort to put abortion rights on the November ballot.

Pro-choice advocates flooded the statehouse prior to the vote authorizing the special election.

Loud booing and chanting could be heard as the vote in the Ohio House came over the loudspeakers, sending the resolution to the Senate, who approved it swiftly.