Unions rally against Issue 1

Early voting for an August special election commenced Tuesday, featuring a sole issue to change the way amendments are added to the state's constitution. Issue One on the Aug. 8 ballot asks voters to change the current 50%-plus-one majority vote to approve citizen-driven amendments to a supermajority of 60% votes to approve a change. Union members pose at a press conference to vote against Issue One in the Aug. 8 special election at the USW Local 207L hall, 1130 Summit St., Wednesday. ANGELA LAROSA / The Courier Special elections haven't been favored by Ohio lawmakers due to low voter turnout and high cost of operation. And, earlier this year, Republican lawmakers eliminated special elections, but doubled back for an August election expected to cost taxpayers up to $20 million. A local coalition consisting of steelworkers, Common Cause Ohio and the State Association of Letter Carriers hosted a press conference Wednesday opposing Issue One and urging people to vote no in the special election. "One of the things I think is really important is that we're here because we care about the power and promise of democracy," executive director of Common Cause Ohio Catherine Turcer said. "We're here because we care about direct democracy." More about the issue While arguments on Issue One from either side lean heavily into reproductive healthcare, the change would affect more than one hot topic. Issue One affects other areas of lawmaking as well. It would affect any citizen-led initiative, which Turcer said doesn't happen that often. The last successful ballot measure was in 2017, with another attempt in 2018. In 2017, Marsy's Law was added to the Ohio Constitution when over 70% of voters passed the initiative protecting victims' rights. And, for more than 100 years, Ohioans have had the right to take initiatives straight to voters. But, if Issue One passes, the process will be much more difficult. The current requirements allow citizens to gather a certain number of signatures — 10% of registered voters who cast a ballot in the last, most recent gubernatorial election — from 44 of Ohio's 88 Ohio counties, which must be verified by the secretary of state's office. Issue One would double the requirements to needing signatures from all 88 counties before an initiative is placed on the ballot. "It's an incredibly important tool," Turcer said. "Issue One dilutes voter power." Union Steelworkers Local 207L President Brian Brubaker and the State Association of Letter Carriers Vice President Jeff Kranz were at the news conference and spoke to other concerns about Issue One they say are foundational to democracy. Brubaker said he represents 700 employees who strongly oppose the issue. "Issue One is undemocratic," he said. "It allows 40% of the people to block the majority. That is unfair." Our fight Other union workers said legislation looking to reduce worker compensation and unemployment would be harder to fight against. If Issue One passes, union workers would have to go through the 88-county and 60% vote process to protect their rights. They fear Issue One could also affect decisions to make Ohio a "right-to-work" state. "With so much opportunity in front of us, Issue One is unnecessary and divisive," he said. "Working Ohioans are calling for more collaboration and less conflict." The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations website said right-to-work policies take away rights from working people and make it harder for people to collectively bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions, something lawmakers attempted to take away a decade ago. "Right-to-work" laws are generally viewed as anti-union legislation disguised as worker rights protections. "There's nothing to fix here," one opponent said during Wednesday's conference. "It's a power grab by the state legislature to take away our voice and take us out of the process." Kranz, who represents about 13,000 city letter carriers across the state and carried mail in Findlay for over 31 years, said leaders and contracts are voted by the simple majority of 50%-plus-one. "We didn't pick this fight," Kranz said. "But, we're going to end it." Because of the stress put on local boards of elections, Kranz stressed the importance of early and mail-in voting. "Please, consider voting early by mail," Kranz said. "We can bank votes that way, we can get votes out and for people who can't get out. Please, talk to your friends and get them to vote early, either by mail or at the board of elections."