by J.D. Davidson
After final, controversial ballot language was approved for Issue 1 this week, Ohio Democrats want a legislative change.
Two lawmakers, including one member of the Ballot Board, plan to introduce what they call a legislative overhaul of the board, saying voters are tired of the board’s lies, mismanagement and leadership failures.
Reps. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, D-Gahanna, and Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland, say their proposed changes are vital to ensure free and fair elections in the state.
“One of the fundamental freedoms that makes this country special is our ability to have fair elections, free from any interference,” Brown Piccolantonio said at a news conference Friday. “Unfortunately, for three straight elections now, Ohioans stood by helplessly as the Republican-controlled Ballot Board played partisan politics with the democratic values guaranteed to voters in the Ohio constitution.
“All of us who serve as lawmakers are elected by Ohioans who rightfully expect and want us to work together to represent their interests in government so that we can make their lives and communities better. When we put partisan politics aside and work toward common ground, no matter our background or beliefs, people win.”
The Republican-majority Ballot Board has been under fire over its past three ballot-language decisions. Two came last year dealing with changing the constitution to make it more difficult to pass constitutional amendments and enshrining abortion rights in the state’s constitution.
Voters approved both amendments despite the controversial ballot language last year.
Earlier this week, the board again approved final language for a proposed amendment that would remove redistricting from a five-member board made up of politicians and put it in the hands of a 15-member citizens committee.
All three votes to approve the languages were 3-2, with Republicans voting to approve.
The proposed new legislation would do several things, such as:
• Restructure the Ballot Board to have co-chairs of opposite parties who will jointly call meetings and set agendas.
• Require legislative leaders’ appointments to the Ballot Board to be agreed upon by both legislative leaders of opposite parties in the House and Senate.
• Prohibits lobbyists and politicians from serving as appointed members of the Ballot Board.
• The Ballot Board, rather than the Secretary of State, will determine statewide ballot issue titles by a majority vote. Right now, the secretary of state can act alone.
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An Ohio native, J.D. Davidson is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience in newspapers in Ohio, Georgia, Alabama and Texas. He has served as a reporter, editor, managing editor and publisher. Davidson is a regional editor for The Center Square.
Photo “Ohio Statehouse” by General Ization. CC BY 3.0.
