Extremist Politicians Seek to Silence the Voice of the People with Passage of Undemocratic SJR 2

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Darnell T. Brewer (D-Cleveland) this week denounced the passage of SJR 2 by the Ohio House of Representatives. House Democrats stood with the people today and unanimously voted against the undemocratic, unfair, and unpopular resolution that will shred Ohio's Constitution. 

"Autocracy is gaining ground over democracy in Ohio with the passage of SJR2. Ohio's Constitution is not just protected and featured in the Ohio Statehouse Museum but by the sentiment of the people in Ohio. And this week, thousands of Ohioans used the United States Constitution to guarantee "the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances" in voicing their opposition to SJR2. Attempts are being made to derail Ohio, and it's a new challenge before our Constitution. The fight to protect the sacred principle of ‘one person, one vote’ by any means necessary on August 8th has only just begun,” said Rep. Brewer. 

The constitutional restriction would destroy more than 111 years of direct democracy that Ohioans have used to achieve their goals when unresponsive politicians would not listen. The resolution now heads to an August special election. If passed, Ohioans would lose their freedom to determine the state's future, as 40% of voters could block initiatives the majority of people want. The resolution's supermajority vote requirement for future constitutional amendments would tilt the scales of democracy away from voters and toward well-funded, out-of-state, dark-monied special interests.