Sykes Condemns Concurrence of S.J.R. 2

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement after the Ohio Senate voted along party lines to concur with the changes made by the House of Representatives to Senate Joint Resolution 2, which would raise the threshold for Ohioans to pass citizen-initiated constitutional amendments from a simple majority to 60%.

“Today is a monumental day. I am saddened by the insistence of the supermajority to constantly minimize, hamper and disenfranchise the rights of the people,” said Sykes. “But I am thrilled that they have not been able to stifle the voice of the people. The people’s response has been inspiring and noble and reminds us that the fight is not over. It has just begun, and will take it all the way through the courts and to the ballot.”

On Tuesday, the House Rules and Reference Committee amended S.J.R. 2 to put the resolution before voters during the next special or general election. However, because Republicans voted to eliminate almost all August special elections in House Bill 458 during the 134th General Assembly, the resolution wouldn’t have appeared on the ballot until the November general election.

During Wednesday’s House session, S.J.R. 2 was amended again to include language that the resolution would be put before voters on August 8. In addition to changing the required threshold for voters to approve constitutional amendments, S.J.R. 2 requires signatures of at least 5% of the electors in each of Ohio’s 88 counties, instead of 44, and eliminates the 10-day period to file additional signatures for an initiated constitutional amendment.

“This is still the people’s government and, fortunately, the people retain the authority to have the last word.”

The General Assembly will now file the resolution with the Secretary of State.