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There is a special election in Ohio on August 8, 2023, concerning Issue 1 which is a proposed constitutional amendment that would: 1) Require that any proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Ohio receive the approval of at least 60 percent of eligible voters voting on the proposed amendment. 2) Require that any initiative petition filed on or after January 1, 2024 with the Secretary of State proposing to amend the Constitution of the State of Ohio be signed by at least five percent of the eligible voters of each county in the state. 3) Specify that additional signatures may not be added to an initiative petition filed with the Secretary of State on or after January 1, 2024 proposing to amend the Constitution of the State of Ohio. If passed, the amendment shall be effective immediately.
Why is voting yes for this amendment important as faithful Catholics? Currently, our Ohio State Constitution can be amended by a favorable majority of 50% + one vote of those who vote in that election. This means that our Ohio State Constitution could be amended by a small number of individuals. Considering the ballot initiative being proposed for the November 7 election to enshrine abortion in our Ohio State Constitution and deprive parents of their rights, it is crucial to make sure that our Ohio State Constitution cannot be amended easily. Voting YES on Issue 1 will make it more difficult to change our Ohio State Constitution and thus allow us to protect our children and families.
According to Right to Life of Northeast Ohio:
For those who want to protect pre-born human beings, Issue 1 is critical because of the probable abortion amendment ballot initiative that will be on the Ohio ballot in November of 2023. This dangerous amendment proposal (click here for more information) was passed in several states during the midterm elections of 2022 and in the majority of those states, was passed with far less than 60% of the vote in a campaign heavily supported by lucrative pro-abortion special interest groups. The proposed abortion amendment in Ohio is even more threatening because the language also will endanger parental rights. Should Issue 1 pass by the voters on August 8, it will require the November abortion ballot initiative to pass with at least 60% of the vote.
