Republicans in the state want to raise the threshold for passing constitutional amendments to stop abortion rights from advancing via citizen initiatives.
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!!!
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.
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.
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 !!
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.
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!!!
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.
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.
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
Thanks so much for this information, including the contacts. I'm in Ohio and will definitely be sharing this.
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 !!
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