Republicans in the state want to raise the threshold for passing constitutional amendments to stop abortion rights from advancing via citizen initiatives.
Per the League of Women Voters of Ohio (Substack won't let me post an image, so I'll type it out because it is important)::
"Show up to Protect our Freedom and Rights.
NO on HJR 1. Undemocratic. Unfair. Unpopular. Unnecessary.
Day of Action at the Statehouse, Thursday, April 27.
Meet here: Trinity Episcopal Church, 125 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH, 43215, Thursday April 27, 12:15 PM. Instructions for heading to Statehouse will be given at church. Vote is potentially at 2 PM.
You are so right, Jay! This is a massive voter mobilization game to stop the R steal of the democratic process. My sisters in Kansas stepped up big-time to fight for reproductive liberty in August 2022. They were absolutely incensed that the State Legislature tried to pull a fast one on women. Kansas lawmakers also tried to trick voters through intentionally confusing language in the bill. It took a TON of education for voters to properly cast the appropriate vote to preserve reproductive rights. Whew!!!
Now if only those voters would stop voting for the politicians who are trying to screw them. If they would stop putting these people back in office they wouldn’t have to keep mobilizing against them.
Here's what I wrote to Speaker Stevens in Ohio. Feel free to use it as a framework if you are interested in writing also.
Dear Speaker Stephens,
As you know, constitutional amendments are a way that citizens can make their voices heard. By doing an end run around the will of the majority and demanding a supermajority to make changes, the will of the people is subverted. While I do not live in Ohio, what your legislature does effects how my legislature can view placing this onerous stipulation on its people. Please use your position to prevent the radical right from stomping on regular citizens with moderate views. We are the majority but are being gerrymandered and stifled at the voting booths and so silenced by the minority. Respectfully. A Very Concerned American Citizen also from the Midwest.
Another reminder that could be used. Taxation without representation (and these representatives and state officials salaries and perks are paid by Ohio taxpayers) sparked the original American Revolution.
I understand gerrymandering, in the sense that the candidate basically picks their voters, not the other way around, but couldn't there come a time where even their chosen voters say enough? Considering the lines being not just crossed, but demolished, I'd like to think there might be some semi-sane people in those districts that have had it with these people's bullshit. That's as much optimism that I can muster, for now.
As a resident of Ohio, thank you for this information. I'm hoping we can pick up the gerrymandering again. I emailed and called Speaker Stephens. Will follow up with other actions people have given.
Maria, once again, you've nailed it! For the few that don't get the reference to Aristophanes, basically she's saying that women agree not to have sex with their men until they see reason. You can probably find the play somewhere on the internet, because it is over 2000 years old, it is in the public domain somewhere ;-)
How deplorable these red states are ! They don't give a damn about the will of the people , they just want to stick it to the democrats and retain power !! They don't give a hoot for their constituents, they only care about their rabid donors and control ! The people of Ohio and other repugnants territory need to wake up and decide what is important to them as a state because if the repugnants get in it will be the last time you will have a legitimate vote and the USA will be a fascist society !!
Please don't paint all of us in Ohio with a broad brush. I've already shared this post to the local and state League of Women voters for dissemination because this is an extremely hot-button issue here. I've done as Jay suggests and called and emailed until my fingers are bleeding from the typing.
The gerrymandering is horrific and frustrating, but not everybody in this state is a MAGA idiot. Most former Republicans I know have voted blue in the past three elections. AND remember Ohio was a state TFG lost in the 2016 primaries because Democrats requested Republic ballots (we can do that), and voted overwhelmingly for Kasich.
Idaho Republicans tried to do something similar with our ballot initiative requirements. Luckily, so many of their constituents called and emailed and to say absolutely not. They couldn't get the votes, thank god.
My first instinct was to say, they should take a page from the playbook of Iranian women and storm the streets. A huge part of the population storming the streets every day has an effect that even the most cynical Republican cannot overcome, because it instills awareness. Transparency. Then, I remembered why none of my daughters friends are going to college in Ohio, because Catholic Health Services runs all of the hospitals, so where would you get an abortion anyway, or birth control for that matter. Women in Ohio, who are still of child bearing age, are fated to unwanted pregnancies, or possible death by illegal means, and if condoms are not handy, then STDs too. Ohio is a H--L HOLE for women! They are indicative of why the Republican Party is not for the youth of our country. The Republican Party is the party of the Devil and they are all Devils. They have nothing to offer women other than substandard health care, contributing to our lowered chances of a baby surviving its first year compared to other wealthy countries. It is a travesty! I think the residents of Ohio should take their legislature to court in a class action lawsuit.
I don't really have a problem with refiring a 60% majority for constitutional amendments Colorado already does that. But we don't have this August election BS. Voting only happens on election day in November. And I don't think a constitutional amendment go into effect the same year, either. I think those are the things to express upset about, and to try to sync this initiative over, rather than calling a needing a super majority to change the constitution on Democratic
I am an Ohio resident. I just emailed Speaker Stephens. Also, a massive demonstration is planned at the Ohio Statehouse on Thursday.
I wish you Ohioans the best in this endeavor.! You've got quite a fight on your hands, Susan.
Yes, we do. It's great to have the support from our friends in other states.
Details re: demonstration?
Per the League of Women Voters of Ohio (Substack won't let me post an image, so I'll type it out because it is important)::
"Show up to Protect our Freedom and Rights.
NO on HJR 1. Undemocratic. Unfair. Unpopular. Unnecessary.
Day of Action at the Statehouse, Thursday, April 27.
Meet here: Trinity Episcopal Church, 125 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH, 43215, Thursday April 27, 12:15 PM. Instructions for heading to Statehouse will be given at church. Vote is potentially at 2 PM.
Follow Catherine Turcer at Common Cause Ohio for developments.
Just got email from organizers. Changed to May 3.
Just got email from organizers. Changed to May 3.
Corroborated by a just now email from the LWV - WEDNESDAY May 3! Venue to be determined.
Let's get the word out!
Scary stuff. It wouldn't surprise me if Missouri tries this. People MUST get out and vote against these attempts to subvert Democracy.
I did a TikTok about this a few days ago and made an action document to go with it. It's got a couple of other numbers to call as well as a call script if its helpful to anyone. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LMu2XoZfEQNPR94WKNsPrRuehyGAbIKW7Cw9ZJ0bkvw/edit
You are so right, Jay! This is a massive voter mobilization game to stop the R steal of the democratic process. My sisters in Kansas stepped up big-time to fight for reproductive liberty in August 2022. They were absolutely incensed that the State Legislature tried to pull a fast one on women. Kansas lawmakers also tried to trick voters through intentionally confusing language in the bill. It took a TON of education for voters to properly cast the appropriate vote to preserve reproductive rights. Whew!!!
Now if only those voters would stop voting for the politicians who are trying to screw them. If they would stop putting these people back in office they wouldn’t have to keep mobilizing against them.
Ohio resident here. Also sent Speaker Stephens an email. Thank you for your detailed account of what’s happening under our noses.
Here's what I wrote to Speaker Stevens in Ohio. Feel free to use it as a framework if you are interested in writing also.
Dear Speaker Stephens,
As you know, constitutional amendments are a way that citizens can make their voices heard. By doing an end run around the will of the majority and demanding a supermajority to make changes, the will of the people is subverted. While I do not live in Ohio, what your legislature does effects how my legislature can view placing this onerous stipulation on its people. Please use your position to prevent the radical right from stomping on regular citizens with moderate views. We are the majority but are being gerrymandered and stifled at the voting booths and so silenced by the minority. Respectfully. A Very Concerned American Citizen also from the Midwest.
Another reminder that could be used. Taxation without representation (and these representatives and state officials salaries and perks are paid by Ohio taxpayers) sparked the original American Revolution.
I understand gerrymandering, in the sense that the candidate basically picks their voters, not the other way around, but couldn't there come a time where even their chosen voters say enough? Considering the lines being not just crossed, but demolished, I'd like to think there might be some semi-sane people in those districts that have had it with these people's bullshit. That's as much optimism that I can muster, for now.
I'd like to think you are correct in your assumptions. Just how much more can they believe before they wake up and realize they've been duped.
As a resident of Ohio, thank you for this information. I'm hoping we can pick up the gerrymandering again. I emailed and called Speaker Stephens. Will follow up with other actions people have given.
Dear red states!
Don't complain, when your female residents go Lisistrata on your for your continuing attempts to strip them of basic healthcare rights.
Love and kisses!
Me
Maria, once again, you've nailed it! For the few that don't get the reference to Aristophanes, basically she's saying that women agree not to have sex with their men until they see reason. You can probably find the play somewhere on the internet, because it is over 2000 years old, it is in the public domain somewhere ;-)
Thanks so much for this information, including the contacts. I'm in Ohio and will definitely be sharing this.
Share the updated information per above!
How deplorable these red states are ! They don't give a damn about the will of the people , they just want to stick it to the democrats and retain power !! They don't give a hoot for their constituents, they only care about their rabid donors and control ! The people of Ohio and other repugnants territory need to wake up and decide what is important to them as a state because if the repugnants get in it will be the last time you will have a legitimate vote and the USA will be a fascist society !!
Please don't paint all of us in Ohio with a broad brush. I've already shared this post to the local and state League of Women voters for dissemination because this is an extremely hot-button issue here. I've done as Jay suggests and called and emailed until my fingers are bleeding from the typing.
The gerrymandering is horrific and frustrating, but not everybody in this state is a MAGA idiot. Most former Republicans I know have voted blue in the past three elections. AND remember Ohio was a state TFG lost in the 2016 primaries because Democrats requested Republic ballots (we can do that), and voted overwhelmingly for Kasich.
Idaho Republicans tried to do something similar with our ballot initiative requirements. Luckily, so many of their constituents called and emailed and to say absolutely not. They couldn't get the votes, thank god.
I have never been so worried about our nation’s democracy than now! 😳😡
My first instinct was to say, they should take a page from the playbook of Iranian women and storm the streets. A huge part of the population storming the streets every day has an effect that even the most cynical Republican cannot overcome, because it instills awareness. Transparency. Then, I remembered why none of my daughters friends are going to college in Ohio, because Catholic Health Services runs all of the hospitals, so where would you get an abortion anyway, or birth control for that matter. Women in Ohio, who are still of child bearing age, are fated to unwanted pregnancies, or possible death by illegal means, and if condoms are not handy, then STDs too. Ohio is a H--L HOLE for women! They are indicative of why the Republican Party is not for the youth of our country. The Republican Party is the party of the Devil and they are all Devils. They have nothing to offer women other than substandard health care, contributing to our lowered chances of a baby surviving its first year compared to other wealthy countries. It is a travesty! I think the residents of Ohio should take their legislature to court in a class action lawsuit.
Smoke-and-mirrors, funhouse distortions, illusion and sleights of hand, both actual and metaphorical, dot the GOP landscape like mutant hyenas.
Don't ever forget that we are the majority.
I don't really have a problem with refiring a 60% majority for constitutional amendments Colorado already does that. But we don't have this August election BS. Voting only happens on election day in November. And I don't think a constitutional amendment go into effect the same year, either. I think those are the things to express upset about, and to try to sync this initiative over, rather than calling a needing a super majority to change the constitution on Democratic