Innovation Ohio

What you need to know about Ohio Politics and Policy

About State Issue 1

In a disturbing trend that consolidates power in the hands of conservative lawmakers, Ohio’s legislative Republicans are pushing a proposal to make it harder for citizens to pass ballot measures. This blatant attempt to undermine direct democracy, on the ballot in August, would impose new obstacles on citizens striving to enact policy changes and protect our rights.

The proposed changes, appearing on ballots statewide at a newly-scheduled August 8 special election, aims to raise the voting requirement from a simple majority to 60% and require a minimum number of signatures be collected from all 88 counties in Ohio, up from 44 today. These changes would make it nearly impossible for all but the most well-funded campaigns to collect signatures and pass an initiated ballot measure, forever entrenching the power of special interests over the grassroots.

This effort aligns with a broader strategy observed across the country, led by conservative groups seeking to limit the influence of citizen-led initiatives and suppress the voices of ordinary people. From imposing stricter signature requirements to introducing procedural roadblocks, these measures undermine the fundamental principles of democratic governance and restrict the power of ordinary citizens.

The argument for these changes – that the constitution is too vulnerable to frivolous changes by outside groups – is a thinly veiled excuse by lawmakers in power and the special interests that support them to preserve their own power. The reality is that Ohio voters have enjoyed the power of citizen initiatives since 1912 under the existing rules, during which time citizens have successfully amended Ohio’s constitution only 19 times. The vast majority of these efforts fail. 

Constitutional amendments since 1912…

ProposedPassedSuccess Rate
691927.5%

Direct democracy through initiatives and referendums is an essential tool that allows citizens to hold elected officials accountable and address urgent issues when they fail to act. By raising the voting threshold and imposing stricter signature requirements, Ohio’s Republicans are effectively snatching away the power of the people to shape their own destinies and protect their rights.

About The August Special Election

Ohioans will head to the polls on August 8 to vote on the question of how hard it should be to amend the state constitution through the citizen initiative process unless a court steps in to stop it. The scheduling of a special election in August has been the subject of significant controversy. To understand why, we need to delve into the events that led us to this point. 

Last year, Ohio lawmakers passed legislation that eliminated elections in August, in all but two emergency scenarios – to fill a congressional vacancy or to seek a levy in a fiscal emergency. These changes were aimed at consolidating voting dates, saving taxpayer money and reducing strain on local Boards of Elections. However, more recently, lawmakers have changed course and have scheduled a statewide vote on August 8 on a proposal that would make it harder for citizens to amend Ohio’s constitution by initiative petition.

The timing and motives behind the August special election have raised eyebrows and sparked intense debate. It appears that some lawmakers are pushing for this election to happen in August, despite the law that eliminated such elections, in order to get ahead of a potential vote on abortion rights in November. Statehouse republicans are trying to manipulate the timeline in order to influence the outcome of important policy decisions best left to voters.

In response to the controversial nature of the August special election, a lawsuit has been filed challenging its legality. The lawsuit alleges that forcing this election to occur in August, contrary to the law that eliminated such elections, undermines the democratic process and infringes upon the rights of Ohio voters.

Key Dates

July 10 – Voter registration deadline

July 11 – Early voting begins

August 1 – Mail Ballot requests must be received

August 7 – Mail Ballots must be postmarked

August 8 – Election day

August 12 – Mail Ballots must be received

As the legal proceedings unfold, it is crucial for voters to stay informed about any updates regarding the special election. Sign up for our emails to stay up to date, but be prepared to cast your vote on August 8 and exercise your democratic rights. Your voice still matters, and your vote can shape the future of Ohio.

Ohio’s New Voting Laws

Ohio recently passed a bill, signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine, that brings significant changes to the state’s voting regulations. Here are the key changes that may affect your ability to make your vote count:

  • Photo ID Requirement for In-Person Voting: Under the new law, Ohio voters will be required to present a valid photo ID when casting their ballots in-person. This includes early voting in-person and Election Day voting. Acceptable forms of photo ID include a current and unexpired driver’s license, state ID card, military ID (not issued by a county gov), or a passport. Eligible voters who do not possess an acceptable photo ID may obtain a free identification card from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
  • ID requirements to vote early by mail have not changed. To vote by mail, voters must provide either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number when requesting a ballot.
  • Postage ban: Prohibits officials from prepaying postage on mail-in ballots and mail-in ballot applications.
  • Shortened Early Voting Period: The new law reduces the early voting period from 35 days to 28 days before Election Day (starts July 11) and eliminates in-person voting on the Monday before Election Day.
  • Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is now set at noon on the Saturday before Election Day (August 5), reducing the time available for voters to request and receive their ballots.
  • Absentee Ballot Return Deadline: mail-in ballots must be received by the Board of Elections no later than 4 days after election day (August 12), reducing the time available for voters to return their ballots
  • Reduced cure period: HB458 shortens the time during which voters can provide additional information, such as a valid photo ID, after voting a provisional ballot from 7 days after election day to 4.
  • Limited Availability of Ballot Drop Boxes: Only one drop box is permitted per county and is only available during Board of Election business hours

Before you vote on August 8 or in the future, make sure that your voter registration is up to date, help register your friends and family, and make sure everyone has the identification they need to go to the polls or vote by mail.

Get the Facts: Senate Joint Resolution 2

Ohio Senate Joint Resolution 2, a constitutional amendment proposal that would change the threshold for passing new amendments to the state constitution. If passed by the voters on August 8th, the amendment would increase the required vote to 60% of the electorate, up from the current simple majority threshold. This proposal has generated significant debate and discussion among Ohioans, with opinions divided on whether the higher threshold would help or hinder the democratic process.

To help voters understand the Facts vs. Myths in this important debate, Innovation Ohio has provided the following overview. Whether you’re a staunch supporter of the change or a skeptic of its effects, this overview will be a valuable resource for voters who want to make an informed decision at the ballot box.

SJR 2 Facts

SJR 2 are legislative proposals that would increase the votes required to enact new constitutional amendments to 60%, up from a simple majority (50% +1).

Unfortunately, there has been a lot of misinformation used to gain support for these proposals. Here are the facts.

Since 1912, 19 constitutional amendments have been intimated by citizens, while legislators have initiated a whopping 108. Since 2022, 14 of 19 originated in the legislature.

In reality, most citizen-proposed constitutional amendments fail. Since 1912, 69 constitutional amendments have been proposed, and only 19 have passed, making for a success rate of 27.5%.

There has also been an emphasis from backers of SJR2 on the influence of deep-pocketed special interests in amending Ohio’s constitution, but there is no correlation between the amount spent on a citizen ballot initiative and its chance of passing. Successful campaigns have actually spent less, on average, than the backers of failed campaigns.

$11.2 million is the average amount spent on successful citizen ballot measure,  compared to an average of $16.7 million on failed citizen ballot measures. 

  • Washington requires 50%+1 except amendments about gambling and lottery laws require 60%
  • Arizona requires 50%+1 except amendments that raise taxes or impose fees require 60%
  • Illinois requires 60%; or a measure can pass with 50% of all votes cast in the election.
  • Nevada requires a majority vote (50%+1) in two successive elections
  • Oregon requires 50%+1 but 50% voter turnout in the election
  • Massachusetts requires 50%+1 and 30% of those voting in that election
  • Nebraska requires 50%+1 AND 35% of the total votes cast in that election
  • Mississippi requires 50%+1 AND 40’% of the total votes cast in that election
  • Wyoming requires 50%+1 AND 50% of the total votes cast in that election

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