2023-36 - Vote No on State Issue 1

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Baker, Bullock, Kepple, Litten, Marx, Rader, Shachner RESOLUTION NO. 2 0 2 3- 3 6 BY: A RESOLUTION to take effect immediately provided it receives the vote of at least two thirds of the members of Council, or otherwise to take effect at the earliest period allowed by law, urging Lakewood residents to protect democracy and vote No on Issue 1 at the August 8ffi special election. WHEREAS, for over a century, Ohioans have enjoyed the constitutional right to amend the Ohio Constitution by a majority vote of the people; and, WHEREAS, the Ohio General Assembly has called for a special election on August 0' for voters to decide on Issue 19 which proposes measures that would impede and obstruct access to the citizen -led ballot initiative process and silence the voice of the majority on constitutional amendments; and, WHEREAS, among other problematic requirements intended to limit public participation in government, Issue 1 proposes to increase the threshold of support from a 51 % majority to a 60% supermaj ority for adoption of future amendments to the Ohio Constitution; and WHEREAS, should it pass, the consequences of Issue 1 would effectively eliminate the key democratic principle of majority rule and set unreasonable and unworkable standards for ordinary citizens who seek to exercise their constitutional rights by way of the citizen -led ballot initiative process; and, WHEREAS, should it pass, Issue 1 would cede the power of the people to a minority of wealthy individuals and special interest groups who may easily manipulate the political process in their favor; and, WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 2.12 of the Third Amended Charter of the City of Lakewood, this Council by a vote of at least two thirds of its members determines that this resolution is an emergency measure and that it shall take effect immediately, and that it is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health and safety, and to provide for the usual daily operation of municipal departments given the fast -approaching date of the August 8 special election and the related voter registration deadlines; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO: Section 1. This Council strongly urges all citizens to vote No on Issue 1 to maintain Ohioans' freedom to place constitutional amendments on the ballot, uphold the principle of democracy, and to resist ceding the power of the people to special interest groups. Section 2. This Council hereby alerts all residents to check their voter registration status with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections and to register to vote or to update their voter registration by the July l Otl' deadline. Section 3. This Council hereby encourages all residents to consider voting early in person or by mail, starting on July 11 tn.