Looking Beyond Issue 1, Here Is What We Need to Remember

<p> <p id="x-x-Y25Q7JHDOJE4BCU5IF5QZCQV64"> The constitutional initiative is not a one-way ratchet, and Ohio voters have approved initiated amendments that many progressives undoubtedly find disturbing, including the 30-day voter registration requirement, legislative term limits, and a ban on same-sex marriage. The price of direct democracy, however, is a willingness to recognize that the voters may sometimes adopt policies that one opposes. <p id="x-x-ZUGJFWFVRBBYNJYAGAWQ7AU5XQ"> The constitutional initiative provides a path for avoiding the General Assembly and putting before the voters amendments that are unlikely to be proposed by the General Assembly, such as the recently filed amendment to end partisan gerrymandering by creating an independent citizens redistricting commission. </p> </p></p>