WASHINGTON, DC – In Ohio, RITE is standing up for self-government by confronting an activist attempt to muddle the language of an important ballot initiative. In an amicus brief filed today in One Person One Vote v. Ohio Ballot Board, RITE is arguing dark money partisans are trying to “wrest control of the [ballot initiative] process from the people’s democratically elected political representatives, while at the same time working to block Ohio’s voters from exercising their right to address a fundamental question of constitutional governance.”
“We are helping Ohio defend its ballot initiative process from special interests that are trying to hijack self-government,” said Derek Lyons, President and CEO of RITE. “Elected officials are empowered to set language to arcuately describe ballot initiatives. In this instance, special interests are trying to engineer a preferred outcome. We are urging the court to decline their invitation to subvert the democratic process.”
RITE filed an amicus brief in the case urging the court to deny activists’ attempts to undermine Ohio’s ballot initiative process.
RITE argues:
“Ballot text that is unnecessarily lengthy or complex, or that contains thinly veiled partisan advocacy damages the democratic process and impinges upon the people’s right to self-government.”
“The alternative ballot-title language proffered by Relators puts the lie to the notion that their aim is to protect democracy. Rather, their alternative language is ambiguous and misleading, revealing that they seek to undermine—not bolster—Ohio’s duly enacted, democratic system for proposing and voting upon constitutional amendments.”
“They want this Court to intervene and thereby delay, or completely derail, a statewide vote on the proposed constitutional amendment. That is, rather than participating in the democratic process through grassroots campaigning or public-awareness events, Relators seek to force the democratic process to a halt.”
Read the full Amicus brief HERE.
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