LaRose Plan Would Require 60% Voter Approval to Pass Citizen-Led Constitutional Amendments

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) is leading an effort to make it more difficult to amend the state constitution via citizen-led ballot issues. Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) is sponsoring the resolution that would go before voters if approved by the General Assembly.

Under LaRose’s plan, 60% of voters would need to approve petition-based amendments, as opposed to a simple majority under current law. LaRose says the change is needed to protect the Ohio Constitution from out-of-state interests, while opponents say the move would weaken Ohioans’ right to “direct democracy.”

The resolution would need to be approved by lawmakers by the end of December in order to be placed on the May 2023 primary ballot. 11/21/2022