CV NEWS FEED // Many conservative groups are lobbying to vote “yes” on the August 8th special election in Ohio, however, conservative voters of all ages seem to be confused.
This special election vote centers on a measure, called “Issue 1,” to raise the threshold required to pass a constitutional amendment from 50%+1 to 60%.
Out-of-state abortion advocates are relying on Ohio’s loose requirements to pass an amendment to the state constitution that would codify into the state constitution abortion-on-demand and the genital mutilation of children without parental consent or notification.
Over ten Buckeyes interviewed ranged in age from 19 to 50, and many indicated they have heard nothing about the August 8th vote. Of the few who had heard about the election, most of them could not clearly explain the issue on the table.
“For me personally, I feel like it is important to go out and vote ‘yes’ simply for the fact that there need to be people who stand up for the people who can’t fight for themselves,” said Zach E. of Loveland, Ohio.
Any human has a right to life but most humans can fight for themselves so the ones who can’t need to be considered as well.
However, when asked his opinion on changing the amendment’s voting threshold – what the August 8th election means to do – Zach said, “I was actually unaware of that.”
Pro-Issue 1 activists have their work cut out for them: “I just don’t understand why we don’t need a 50/50 vote. If you get anything over fifty percent, that’s the majority, right?” asked Ellie G. of Lebanon, Ohio.
So I get why we would want the threshold to be changed for the abortion issue, but why do you want it to be changed overall? Wouldn’t that make it harder to make amendments that you want to make?
On the other hand, there are many Ohians adamantly fighting to uphold the dignity of the constitution. These people understand the importance of Issue 1.
“I am fighting for [Ohians to vote yes on] this amendment because I want to raise my future family in a state that values life and is safe for families,” said Cecilia M. from the Cleveland Diocese. “I am totally opposed to letting outsider groups determine the environment that our kids will be raised in by forcing their ideals on them.”
(Ohio) Civics 101
For an amendment to be made to the U.S. Constitution, two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate must support the amendment or two-thirds of the states must call a convention for the proposed amendment. Once one of those two things happen, three-fourths of the states’ legislatures must ratify the amendment as well. Only then is the amendment officially ratified as part of the Constitution.
These thresholds are much more rigid than even the 60/40 rule that Ohio is attempting to ratify in the August 8th election.
“The founding fathers did this for a reason, to protect our constitution from being changed so easily. Why should Ohio’s regulations be any different?” said LOOP editor Josh Mercer.
False Fronts
Many left-leaning organizations are using traditionally conservative phrases and marketing strategies to push their agenda, confusing some less informed voters.
One Person One Vote released this ad, containing phrases such as “protecting our fundamental freedoms” and “protect our rights and the freedom to make our own decisions.”
The ad also claims that changing the threshold “undermines the sacred principle of one person on vote.” However, this is just deliberately wrong. The amendment simply seeks to raise the voting threshold.
Too Much Constitution?
“You’ve probably noticed that the U.S. Constitution fits in your back pocket,” Brian Burch, President of CatholicVote wrote. “I’m not sure the Ohio constitution would fit in Paul Bunyan’s pocket. It’s the size of a phone book. Outside radical interest groups absolutely love how easy it is to radically change Ohio’s constitution.”
“If this doesn’t pass, it could be the size of a stack of phone books,” Mercer added.
“The constitution should be simple. It is meant to be a contract that holds the people together despite our differences” said CatholicVote editor Erika Ahern.
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