Senate Passes 60% Voter-Approval Threshold Plan

Efforts to amend the Ohio Constitution — whether citizen-led or via legislation — would face tougher odds if the House and Ohio voters approve a controversial plan passed by the Senate this week.

By a 26-7 vote along party lines, the Senate OK’d Senate Joint Resolution 2 to increase the voter-approval threshold needed to pass constitutional amendments at the ballot box to 60%. The upper chamber also passed Senate Bill 92 to schedule an Aug. 8 election for voters to decide the matter.

The House has its own version of the 60% voter-approval plan. That measure was approved by a House committee this week, but questions remain whether there’s sufficient GOP support to be passed by the full House.

Gongwer News Service reports that earlier comments from Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) expressing opposition to an August election “have fueled accusations from within his caucus that he is seeking to block the effort.” The deadline to pass the resolution is May 10 due to an election law deadline. 4/20/2023