To the editor:
The proponents of Issue 1 state they support it because it "protects the Constitution." If they truly wanted to protect it, then they shouldn't want to change it. Our current constitution was written in 1912 and it's the reason we have voter-led initiatives being able to be put on the ballot, with a mere 50 percent plus one being needed for it to become law. This also is known as majority rules. Protecting the Constitution means protecting majority rules.
Proponents also claim they are trying to prevent out-of-state billionaires from tinkering in our elections. Yet the single largest donor supporting their attempt to change our constitution is a billionaire businessman from Illinois. If they truly want to keep outside interests out of our elections, then requiring 5 percent of the electorate to sign a petition, to get a citizen-led initiative on the ballot, would require millions of dollars of outside influence to achieve the new signature requirements set forth in Issue 1.
They are creating the very problems they claim they are trying to prevent. Issue 1 reeks of the adage of unintended consequences. Every voter-led initiative in the future will be doomed to failure in order to achieve their new benchmark of 60 percent approval, which is basically minority rules.
All Ohio citizens should be concerned about our future as a democracy if Issue 1 passes. Don't allow the ruling politicians in Columbus who supported this special election take away your rights. Vote no on Aug. 8 and reject this blatant power grab.
Maureen Howard
Toronto