COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio now awaits the Supreme Court’s ruling on a lawsuit aiming to halt the August special election, and advocacy groups on both sides of the initiative are intensifying their campaigns to get voters to the polls.
The Ohio Ballot Board voted Thursday morning to approve language to how voters will see the question that asks them whether the state should raise the threshold for approving constitutional amendments to 60%.
Getting voters to the polls for an August election can be challenging. Last year, only 8% of voters took part in the statewide August primary. Consequently, advocacy groups face a significant challenge in mobilizing voters.
“We are rapidly signing up all of those organizations to help us in this campaign to vote no in August,” said Dennis Willard, spokesperson for One Person, One Vote.
Meanwhile, Jenn Miller, executive director of the League of Women Voters Ohio, said her group has a wide coalition backing them.
“We have lots of organizations that stand with us from teachers and firefighters, cops and construction workers, nurses, faith leaders, and so many others,” Miller said.
If the issue passes, it would make it tougher for voters to add abortion rights to Ohio’s constitution in November. But The League of Women Voters of Ohio is focusing its campaign on the abortion rights amendment. On the other hand, Ohio Right to Life is taking a different approach, highlighting a vote in favor of the issue in August could make it more challenging to add abortion rights in the November election.
“Our goal is to be very out front, and we’re going to lead on the issue of life to our core constituency in all 88 counties,” said Mike Gonidakis, president of Right to Life.
Advocacy groups on both sides of the aisle are preparing their outreach campaign.
“It’s a lot of doors knocking, maybe phone banks, fliers,” Gonidakis said. “That’s how we’re going to win the hearts and minds and remind our people to show up and vote in August.”
Miller is also urging Ohioans from each county to participate.
“So we are encouraging every Ohio voter to make sure they’re registered and make sure to participate in the August 8th election by voting no,” Miller said.
The Ohio Secretary of State’s Office issued a statement in response to the lawsuit against SJR2:
“While we don’t comment on litigation or potential litigation, under Ohio’s constitution, the general assembly has the sole authority to set the time, place, and manner for the election. We are fully confident that the election professionals who run our county boards of elections faithfully deliver another secure and accurate election for Ohio voters,” Rob Nichols, press secretary for Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, said.
