Ranking Member Brent Slams Republican Rush to Rig Ohio's Constitution after Overwhelming Opposition at HJR 9 Hearing

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Juanita O. Brent (D-Cleveland) condemned the Republican-led effort to rapidly advance House Joint Resolution (HJR) 9, which proposes a Voter ID Constitutional Amendment for the November 2026 ballot, after significant opposition shown in the House General Government Committee hearing.

“With 79 opponent and 2 proponent testimonies, the public wants changes to voting but not with this constitutional amendment. This dangerous rush job by politicians who want to slice up our state constitution for partisan talking points will cause real harm to Ohioans in the future” said Rep. Brent. “Our current elections are already safe, secure, and securely governed under the Ohio Revised Code. This amendment does absolutely nothing to increase accuracy or security. It is a manufactured solution to a problem that does not exist.”

Rep. Brent is urging her colleagues to abandon the constitutional overreach of HJR 9 and pivot the legislature's focus to the true crisis facing everyday Ohioans: affordability.