Senate Democrats Stand Up for the Right of Ohioans to Hold a Referendum on Election Law

Columbus – Today the Senate Democratic Caucus voted unanimously against the repeal of House Bill 194. More than 300,000 Ohioans signed petitions calling for a statewide referendum on the controversial voter suppression bill. However, Republicans in the General Assembly are moving to repeal HB 194 before the citizens of Ohio have the opportunity to vote on the referendum.

“This will set a dangerous precedent for future referendums,” said Senate Minority leader Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati). “If the General Assembly can repeal a bill that is subject to referendum and then pass the same or similar legislation, it makes the referendum process meaningless. The citizens of this state would no longer have the power to fight hyper-partisan legislation such as last year’s Senate Bill 5.”

The Ohio Senate today voted along party lines to pass Senate Bill 295, which repeals HB 194. This unprecedented legislative maneuver circumvents Ohio’s constitution.

“The framers of our state constitution set up a system of checks and balances where the ultimate power belongs to the people not legislators,” said Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland). “After losing their effort to strip collective bargaining from public employees, Republicans are undermining citizen rights to avoid another defeat at the ballot box.”

HB 194 would make it harder for Ohioans to vote by shortening the early voting period and by prohibiting counties from mailing unsolicited applications for absentee ballots. The changes would have an adverse impact on minority groups and urban areas and would likely lead to longer lines at polling places.

“We are willing to work on a bipartisan basis to ensure the fairness and integrity of our elections,” said Senator Lou Gentile (D-Steubenville). “However, we are not willing to violate the constitution to avoid a referendum.”

Senate Democrats believe Ohioans should vote on the referendum, and then if the General Assembly decides to consider other election related legislation after November, it should be drafted and passed with bipartisan support.