Extremist Politicians Seek to Silence the Voice of the People with Passage of Undemocratic SJR 2

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Elgin Rogers, Jr. (D-Toledo) denounces the passage of SJR 2 by the Ohio House of Representatives. House Democrats stood with the people and unanimously voted against the undemocratic, unfair, and unpopular resolution that will shred Ohio’s Constitution. 

“This legislation is a concerted effort by Statehouse Republicans to take power out of the hands of Ohio’s citizens. The ballot initiative and referendum process provides a direct link for the people to policy. SJR2 violates the core principle of ‘one person, one vote.’ Even worse is the fact that this will waste $20 million of taxpayer money for an August election, even though Republicans voted to get rid of August elections because of their high price tag and low voter turnout,” said Rep. Rogers.

The constitutional restriction would destroy more than 111 years of direct democracy that Ohioans have used to achieve their goals when unresponsive politicians would not listen. The resolution now heads to an August special election. If passed, Ohioans would lose their freedom to determine the future of the state as 40% of voters could block initiatives the majority of people want. The resolution’s supermajority vote requirement for future constitutional amendments would tilt the scales of democracy away from voters and toward well-funded, out-of-state, dark-moneyed special interests.