To the editor:

We have entered a period in Ohio politics in this heavily gerrymandered state where the Republican Party no longer acts in a way that is favorable to the voters, but rather has become so tainted that it changes rules midstream for its own personal interests. Hence, we have a special election coming up on Aug. 8.

Just last December, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, before changing his mind, wanted to eliminate August elections. He once argued “that special elections generally exist to let tax levies slip through without the support of anywhere near the majority of the populace.” Why the change of heart … and why the special election, when it is the only thing on the ballot?

They (the Ohio GOP) are counting on low voter turnout, since August is a big vacation month to most, or that you will simply forget. The State House and Senate are going all out to make it a requirement to make any change to our constitution that it will take 60 percent of the vote for any citizen-led constitutional amendment, which is almost impossible to meet. LaRose can’t wait to advance the agenda where a handful of voters could abolish our current majority rules requirement with 50 percent plus one — 175 years of majority voter authority is on the line. That is why we need to vote no on Aug. 8.

They know that a citizen-led initiative like the Reproductive Rights Amendment, if passed, will undo the extreme measures they have taken away from women. It’s not yet on the ballot in November, but they are not taking any chances that it could be. The issues in November, although controversial, are not in question in the August election. Our rights as citizens about how we the people govern are on the line on Aug. 8.

It’s too late to contact your elective representatives — state Rep. Ron Ferguson, R-Wintersville, and state Sen. Frank Hoagland, R-Mingo Junction, already have voted for this special day, but it’s not too late to vote “no” on or before Aug. 8 and encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same. Let’s keep our simple majority rule.

In Jefferson County, the deadline for voter registration for the special election is July 10. Early voting at the board of elections office starts July 11 and absentee voting starts July 11 at 8:00 a.m. You can contact the BOE office by calling (740) 283-8522 or online at boe.ohio.gov/jefferson to get answers to all of your questions concerning how, or where or when to vote.

If you have college-bound children who will be 18 by Aug. 8, encourage them to register to vote and obtain an absentee ballot, since many go off to college before Aug. 8. If they need to register, they can do so online or at any public library or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Proof of identification is required.

Kathy Antinone

Steubenville