Peterson votes to protect Ohio’s Constitution

State Rep. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) spoke in favor of and urged his colleagues’ support alongside him on Senate Joint Resolution 2 (SJR2).

The Ohio Constitutional Protection Amendment passed in the Ohio House, establishing a special election to bring this question before voters on Aug. 8, 2023.
 
“Thanks to SJR2’s passage, Ohioans now get to vote on whether or not to defend and protect our constitution. I encourage everyone to take advantage of their opportunity and right to vote in August,” Peterson said.
 
If passed by voters, the proposed amendment to Ohio’s Constitution would require any future constitutional amendments to be approved by at least 60 percent of the vote total, an increase from the current threshold of 50 percent plus one vote.
 
“To some, protecting Ohio’s Constitution may seem like a discussion that has come about over the last eight months. While in reality, I and others have been working to protect this founding document for decades,” Peterson said. “I was for protecting the Constitution decades ago, I was for it last year, I was for it in May, and I am for it in August. Our constitution should not be used as a policy document.”
 
The proposed amendment does not impact other forms of direct democracy in Ohio’s Constitution. The right to citizen-led initiatives and referendums is unchanged and only requires a simple majority.
 
State Rep. Peterson is currently serving his first term as State Representative for the 91st Ohio House District, which includes all of Fayette, Highland and Pike counties and western Ross County.