Ohio Politicians Target Citizen-Initiative Process

Strategic Insights -

Ohioans have consistently shown their commitment to democracy by sending a strong message to their legislators, rejecting attempts to undermine the citizen-initiative process. However, instead of listening and respecting the will of the people, politicians in Columbus have chosen to expand their efforts to intimidate and shut down grassroots campaigns. Ohio Senate Bill 153 and Ohio House Bill 233 are the latest examples of this assault on democracy, containing provisions designed to harass, surveil, and silence everyday citizens who exercise their constitutional right to direct democracy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ohio Senate Bill 153 and Ohio House Bill 233 contain provisions that aim to intimidate, harass, and shut down grassroots campaigns, further undermining the citizen-initiative process.
  • The bills include provisions such as compelling organizers to reveal private donor lists, volunteer contacts, and internal communications, without any evidence of wrongdoing.
  • Organizers could be forced to testify before hostile politicians under investigation, without formal charges or protections.
  • The bills are packed with petty, punitive rules designed to trip up campaigns on technicalities, including requirements for writing signature counts personally, correcting minor errors, and wearing identification badges.
  • If passed, the bills will create significant barriers for two constitutional amendment campaigns, making it even harder for citizens to have their voices heard.
  • The supposed "solutions" proposed by the bills, such as requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, have been repeatedly debunked as posing significant risks to eligible voters.
  • The restrictions on drop boxes will make voting harder, not safer, and will have real-world consequences in suppressing the democratic process.

Statistics:

  • Over 30,000 eligible voters in Kansas were blocked from registering due to a similar law requiring proof of citizenship, until a federal judge struck it down as unconstitutional.
  • Over 180,000 Ohioans cast their vote in November 2023 using secure, monitored drop boxes.
  • Dropping "proof-of-citizenship" measures has been repeatedly debunked as posing significant risks to eligible voters.