What Is Issue 1?
Ohio Issue 1 is a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution that if passed, would end majority rule and limit Ohioans ability to amend the state constitution. Under the current law, a simple 50% + 1 majority is needed to pass a citizen-led issue campaign to amend Ohio’s constitution. The proposed change in Issue 1 will require amendments to the state constitution to be approved by a 60% supermajority of voters, effectively creating a system of minority rule where just 40% of voters can halt the will of the majority.For over 100 years, Ohioans have had a right to propose reforms to the state constitution through issue campaigns. If Issue 1 passes, this will effectively shred our Ohio Constitution as we know it and undermine the sacred principle of majority rule, that one person equals one vote.
UFCW locals 75, 880, and 1059 have all endorsed the One Person One Vote campaign and are urging UFCW members across Ohio to make a plan to Vote NO in August. The One Person One Vote Campaign is a citizen-driven, grassroots, non-partisan coalition representing millions of Ohio voters that have come together to protect the sacred principle of one person, one vote, and preserve majority rule in Ohio.
Why Is There A Special Election This August?
The corrupt supermajority in the Ohio State House, not only wants to take away the sacred right of one person, one vote in Ohio, but they are also intentionally putting the issue in front of voters in an illegal August Special election that will cost taxpayers $20 million dollars.
In December 2022, the same politicians who voted to put Issue 1 on the ballot on August 8th, 2023, also voted overwhelmingly to outlaw August special elections in Ohio. Just months ago, these politicians called August special elections unfair because of their historically low voter turnout and the great cost they put on Ohio taxpayers. Now they are using illegal methods to call for an August special election because they know their unpopular reform would be rejected by Ohioans in a regularly scheduled November general or May primary election.
In fact, Issue 1 will be the ONLY item on voters’ ballots this August. That means $20 million dollars is being spent to force one unpopular issue to go in front of voters in an unnecessary special election. Putting this issue on the ballot is wrong, and one more reason UFCW is urging members to reject these politicians’ corrupt hypocrisy and VOTE NO in August!
Why Ballot Initiatives Are Important?
For over 100 years, Ohioans have had the right to propose citizen-led reforms to the state constitution.
This process allows the people of Ohio to have a voice in shaping the state constitution both by voting on proposed changes from the state legislature and allowing a process for citizens to lead their own reform efforts on issues that may not be getting the proper attention from the state legislature.
For the labor movement in Ohio, this democratic process has been critical in protecting workers’ rights and expanding access to voting in past elections. Looking forward in the next few years, there is potential for ballot measure campaigns around issues important to labor and UFCW like independent redistricting reform and a minimum wage increase.