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

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Latyna M. Humphrey (D-Columbus) last week denounced 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 would shred Ohio’s Constitution. 

"Passing SJR 2 puts our democratic values at risk," said Rep. Humphrey. "It weakens citizens' ability to make their voices heard, allows special interests to have too much influence, and makes it harder for popular initiatives to succeed."

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-monied special interests.