Antonio Condemns Passage of S.J.R. 2 and S.B. 92

Today, state Senator Antonio (D-Lakewood) issued a statement after the Ohio Senate voted along party lines to pass Senate Joint Resolution 2 and Senate Bill 92. S.J.R. 2 would raise the threshold for Ohioans to pass constitutional amendments from a simple majority to 60%, while S.B. 92 would allow for August special elections when a proposed constitutional amendment is on the ballot.

“The Ohio General Assembly has time and again ignored the will of the people and continues to make decisions contrary to what Ohioans have already voted on (Congressional Redistricting Procedures Amendment with a 70% majority voting “yes”--Ohio Issue 1, May 2018). They are being denied just representation and their last hope of remedy through a ballot initiative. The people that the Ohio General Assembly purport to represent are left behind with a supermajority that denies their beliefs.”

This legislation would undermine ballot issues that are likely to be supported by a majority of Ohioans, such as protecting reproductive rights (59%), creating an independent citizens’ redistricting commission to stop partisan gerrymandering (56%), increasing the minimum wage (60%), or fully legalizing marijuana (58%).

During the 134th General Assembly, the Republican-controlled legislature passed House Bill 458, which eliminated August special elections under almost all circumstances. S.B. 92 would reauthorize special elections, immediately resulting in a costly and unnecessary $20 million August 8 special election.

“Senate Bill 92 is an obvious maneuver to circumvent codified law,” said Senator Antonio. “It’s unfair, undemocratic and undermines the will of the people.”

S.J.R. 2 and S.B. 92 both have companion legislation in the House, H.J.R. 1 and H.B. 144, and now head to the House for consideration.