Ohio’s political landscape has recently been marred by a sinister narrative that threatens to undermine the very principles of democracy, popular opinion and majority rule that our state has held dear for over a century.
The August Issue 1, which sought to raise the threshold for state constitutional amendments to 60%+1 vote, was a blatant attempt to manipulate the rules of the game and stifle the will of the people.
Historically, Ohio has adhered to a democratic tradition of majority rule when it comes to constitutional amendments. The principle has always been simple: if 50%+1 or more of voters support an amendment to the Ohio constitution, it becomes the law of the land. However, August’s Issue 1 sought to change that tradition, requiring an unprecedented 60%+1 vote for any constitutional amendment to pass. This undemocratic move directly contradicts Ohio’s long-standing commitment to the idea that the will of the majority should prevail.
Ohio Republicans, led by Republican candidate for U.S. Senate and Secretary of State Frank LaRose, went to great lengths to ensure that Issue 1 was decided in an August special election, overturning a decision they had made just a year before to ban such elections in a matter of months. Indeed, they cited a waste of taxpayer dollars and low turnout as justification for banning August special elections, only to bring them back just one more time two months after the election law went into formal effect.
This manipulation of timing was a clear attempt to limit voter turnout and push their agenda through “under the radar.”
Fortunately, Ohio voters saw through this maneuver and rejected Issue 1 in August, with 57% voting no. This means that the vote transcended party lines, as Ohio is a state in which former President Donald Trump won in 2020 with 53% of the vote, as well as U.S. Senator JD Vance in 2022, also with 53% of the vote.
The sinister motive behind the timing becomes evident when we examine the political landscape. A recent polling from Pew Research Center and Baldwin Wallace University suggested that a significant portion of Ohioans support some form of protection for reproductive rights. In essence, this shift away from Ohio norms was a strategic move by the Ohio GOP to raise the bar for citizen-led initiatives. By requiring a supermajority, Republicans aimed to thwart any attempts by Ohio citizens to secure reproductive rights through the amendment process. However, since the August Issue 1 failed, Ohioans are now faced with a confusing turn of events as they prepare to vote on a new Issue 1 this upcoming November.
It is not my place to argue what those seeking reproductive care need or want, as I am not capable of giving birth, but I can tell you that I will be voting yes on Issue 1 on or before Nov. 7.
Not only do I support the official language of the amendment, which still allows the state to impose restrictions on reproductive rights, but I also support the good-faith tactics employed by the “Yes on Issue 1” camp. On the other hand, the state GOP and anti-reproductive rights groups employ many ill tactics, including manipulation, falsehoods and political ignorance to fuel their campaign.
You may see some yard signs saying, “Vote Yes on Issue 1, On or Before Nov. 7th” while you are driving around Ohio City and other parts of the state. Those yard signs have a specific style and font designed by an acquaintance of mine, Erin F. You may also have seen the yard signs for the opposite side’s campaign, utilizing the same font and style. This manipulation is to draw in the “unsophisticated” voter (to use a political science term), which simply means voters who aren’t experts.
Furthermore, these anti-reproductive rights camps are making up problems that do not exist. A key argument of theirs is attempting to find its base in transphobia. The Ohio GOP and its allies are claiming that this proposed amendment would allow for transitioning minors to receive gender-affirming care, something that the Ohio GOP is adamantly against, despite its life-saving positives.
Let me be clear, there is not a court in the state that would interpret this amendment in such a way. That simply is not what the proposed amendment would do. The amendment takes reproductive care decisions out of the hands of the government prior to fetal viability and puts it back in the hands of the person seeking care and their primary care physician. The Ohio GOP and its allies are campaigning like this, hoping that you have not read the actual language of the amendment.
My advice? Read it. Form your own opinion; don’t just take it from me or the Ohio GOP. I have faith that the state of Ohio will make the right choice in November. I know I will be voting “yes” because the fight to maintain and develop popular policies in our state is only just beginning.
This November, we are also voting on legalized and regulated recreational marijuana, or Issue 2. In 2024, we may be voting on a $15 universal minimum wage, an independent redistricting committee, ranked choice voting and more. All of these have popular support among Ohioans and throughout the country. All of these, the Ohio GOP has pushed back against or attempted to ban.
Ohioans should be deeply concerned about this sinister narrative that has unfolded in our state’s politics. It’s a narrative that threatens not only reproductive rights but also the very foundations of our small “d” democratic process.
We must remain vigilant, informed and committed to upholding the principles that have defined Ohio’s proud history—a commitment to democracy, majority rule and the fundamental rights of all its citizens.
Ele Solovyov 
Cory Conrad