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

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) 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.

“The ballot belongs to the people, not the legislators,” said Rep. Brent. “SJR 2 gives power to wealthy special interest groups and takes away from the people of Ohio. This is a threat to unions, reproductive freedom, and anything Ohioans support. One person, one vote.”

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. If passed, Ohioans would lose their freedom to determine the future of the state as 40% of voters could block initiatives the majority of Ohioans 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-monied special interests.