Ohio Constitution

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine cited the argument often repeated by Republicans — that protecting the state constitution from "out of state interests" is important. He didn't say why that must be done in August.

The language for the ballot issue in August that proposes changing the constitution to make it tougher to pass amendments was approved by the Ohio Ballot Board along party lines.

Despite a recent law limiting August elections, Frank Strigari said the Ohio constitution allows the General Assembly to set a date for special elections.

Legal experts say the resolution passed earlier this week by the Ohio Legislature is illegal.

Ohio voters will get the chance to decide whether to make it harder to pass constitutional amendments just ahead of possible November vote on an amendment that would enshrine abortion rights in the state.

This week could be do-or-die for Ohio House Republicans, who must decide by Wednesday if they’ll ask voters to make it harder to amend the constitution in a statewide special election in August.

A plan by some Republicans to put before voters in an August election a change in Ohio's constitution is being considered but lawmakers are running out of time to get it on that ballot.

People from some of the hundreds of groups that oppose the resolution to make it harder to amend Ohio's constitution and a bill to create an August special election to vote on it marched on the Statehouse Wednesday.

Lawmakers have until May 10 to pass a bill to create a special August election and pass a resolution for Ohioans to vote on that would make it harder to amend the constitution.

Both Republican and Democratic attorneys general say requiring 60% approval for constitutional amendments would make it difficult to pass important issues involving taxes or elections.