Everything You Need to Know About Ohio Problem 1

Youngtown, Ohio (WKBN) – Early voting for the August Special Election has begun in Ohio. There are a few things you should know before going to vote.

What is Ohio Problem 1?

Issue 1 is the only issue for the August 8 Special Vote, known as the Voting Initiative.

If passed, it would make it harder for voters to change the Ohio constitution. If a newly proposed constitutional amendment is put to a statewide vote, it would require at least 60% of the votes in favor to pass. Only a majority vote (50% plus 1) is required at this time.

The issue also states that initiative petitions proposing amendments submitted after January 1, 2024 must be signed by at least 5% of each county’s electors, based on county vote totals in the last gubernatorial election. necessary. This means petitioners must collect signatures from all 88 counties instead of the current rule of 44.

It also stipulates that no additional signatures may be added after an initiative petition has been submitted. Currently, citizens have a 10-day remediation period during which signatures deemed defective can be replaced or corrected.

When and where can I vote on Issue 1?

A special election will take place on August 8, but early voting has already begun. Below are the locations by county where you can vote early.

• Mahoning County: Mahoning County Election Commission, 345 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown, Ohio 44502
• Trumbull County: Trumbull County Election Commission, 2947 Youngstown Rd. SE, Warren, Ohio 44484
• Columbiana County: Columbiana County Electoral Commission, 7989 Dickey Dr. Ste 3, Lisbon, OH 44432

Early voting times in Ohio are as follows:

• From 11th to 28th July, 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
• July 31, 7:30am-7:30pm
• August 1, 7:30am-8:30pm
• August 2-4, 7:30am-7:30pm
• August 5, 8:00am-4:00pm
• August 6, 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Absentee ballots and mail-in ballots are also available. The postmark effective date for mailed absentee ballots is Monday, August 7. Your completed vote-by-mail ballot must be returned by 8:30 PM on Tuesday, August 1st.Voted ballots must be returned to the Electoral Commission no later than 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8.

Why Some Support Problem 1

According to the first report from the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, Congressmen
Brian Stewart (Republican) and Senator Rob McCaury (Republican) are preparing a “yes vote” claim.

They argue that voting yes on No. 1 will “empower the people and protect the Constitution.”

Below are their three points on why voters should vote yes.

• Raise the bar. By raising the bar for constitutional amendment to 60%, the public will ensure broad support for amendments, and will signal to special interests that our constitution is out of reach. . This will protect the Ohio Constitution just as it has protected the US Constitution since its founding.
• Empowering people across Ohio. By requiring voters in every county to sign, no particular interest group can pick and choose where signatures are collected. Instead, beginning January 1, 2024, a diverse and representative Ohioans will decide whether the amendment will appear on the ballot.
• Eliminates second bites on apples. By restricting resubmission of signatures beginning January 1, 2024, a special interest group will have only one chance to act on the rules when collecting signatures to put an amendment on the ballot.

Why Others Disagree with Problem 1

Senators Paula Hicks-Hudson (Democrat) and Vernon Sykes (Democrat), as well as Rep. , prepared a discussion about why voters should vote no on #1.

“This amendment would destroy citizen-led voting as we know it and undermine our right to make decisions that directly affect our lives. One person, one vote.” It deprives us of our liberty by undermining the sacred principle of, and destroys Ohio’s majority rule.”

Here’s the gist of their argument:

• Majority rule ends at Issue 1: Only 40% of voters can block any issue, leaving 40% of voters in charge of majority decision making.
• Problem 1 Crush the Constitution: It would permanently nullify the constitutional protections that have been in place for over 100 years to check the power of politicians at the polls.
• Problem 1 takes away our freedom. It would destroy citizen-led voting as we know it and ensure that only wealthy special interests could advance constitutional change.
• Issue 1 Applies to All Issues: If this amendment passes, it will apply to all amendments on all issues that Ohioans vote on. No matter what, only 40% of voters will decide.