Columbus, Ohio -- Today, the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund and Innovation Ohio launched a round of digital ads highlighting opposition to HJR 19. As partners in the Coalition for Redistricting Reform, which worked to pass a fix to our gerrymandered congressional districts in Ohio, our organizations are keenly aware of the importance of the ballot initiative process.
In its current form, HJR 19 would set a higher threshold for the process to amend Ohio’s Constitution through a citizen referendum by making signatures due by April of an election year instead of July, make petition signatures only valid for 180 days, and require a 60 percent threshold to pass.
“This measure is a misguided attempt to curtail the voice of the people to amend their state’s constitution,” said Heather Taylor-Miesle, President of the OEC Action Fund. “We are committed to fighting for the health of Ohio’s air, land, and water, and this bill would put an undue burden on regular Ohioans’ ability to stand up and fight for their future.”
“Through ballot initiatives, Ohioans can make their voices heard on the issue that matter most to them,” said Janetta King, President/CEO of Innovation Ohio. “HJR19 stifles Ohioans' ability to engage directly in their democracy, and we need to fight for that right.”
The digital ads will run through Sunday, December 16th, calling for a strategically targeted list of Ohio legislators to vote against the measure.