The law, dealing with marijuana legalization, has come under fire for allegations of monopolization.
I fully support the position of SPAN Ohio (Single-Payer Action Network) in opposing to Ballot Issue 2. The initiative petition process is a way for ordinary citizens to voice and to achieve legislation by the direct democracy of Ohio voters. Although an exceedingly challenging process, initiative petitions have well served communities to implement desired reforms.
Members of SPAN intend to work through the initiative petition process to achieve universal single-payer health care by 2025. Whether or not you share this specific example of an initiative petition, you should be aware that Common Cause has labeled Issue 2 as a “poison pill” for direct democracy in Ohio. If passed, Issue 2 would make every vote on an initiative petition a two stage process.
The first hurdle would be the ballot language — this express wording, asking voters whether they wish to vote something into that violates the Constitution! Surely that is a guarantee that there would never be any passage of constitutional amendment. Only after this hurdle is passed would voters be able to vote on the proposal itself! Common Cause staff note, while pretending to stop monopolies, Issue 2's real impact is that it gives the power to the Ballot Board to stop any initiatives that it does not like. With the two part process, only the moneyed interests would be able to mount a campaign to surmount that hurdle. The average Ohioan is totally left in the dust.
Furthermore, key terms are not defined in Issue 2, and the Ballot Board has “unreviewable power” to decide which initiatives meet its nebulous standards. There is no fairness, transparency or balance of powers with Issue 2. In fact, it seems anti-American democracy.
Therefore, I urge you to vote "no" and defeat Issue 2.
Arlene Sheak is a resident of Athens, Ohio and the Volunteer Regional Coordinator for SPAN Ohio.
