News
Your source on political action, legislation & voter info

Deadline extended; Help coalition fight new scheme to stop reforms

Aug. 2, 2005 - The Reform Ohio Now coalition has extended the deadline for accepting petitions until this Wednesday, Aug. 3.

Reform Ohio Now (RON), a non-partisan group, is determined to fix Ohio’s electoral process and hold politicians accountable by taking big money out of state campaigns, by removing politicians from the process of drawing their own districts, and by setting up an impartial, bipartisan board to oversee elections.

The group is working to put three common-sense amendments on the November ballot that will restore democracy and revive public trust in the election process. OCSEA is a member of the coalition.

Take Action  Please support RON's efforts to ensure these measures make it to the ballot on Nov. 8, so the citizens of this state can vote to fix Ohio.

 1  Print out the petition and read the instructions.

 2  Gather as many signatures as you can from Ohio voters.

 

 3   Mail it to:

REFORM OHIO NOW
P.O. Box 20330
Columbus, OH 43220

Here's the latest: A group of Ohio politicians got scared that we might actually win—and hold them accountable to Ohio voters—so they made a last-minute attempt to stop our change efforts. Over the weekend, they crafted a counter-amendment to stall RON's redistricting plan until 2011.

RON said it would not stand for this desperate back-room scheme. In fact, House Minority Leader Chris Redfern told the Columbus Dispatch Husted ran the idea past him late last week.

"I expressed that I was adamantly opposed and would lead an effort to defeat it," the Catawba Island Democrat said, adding that Republicans were arrogant to propose gutting the amendment before it had a chance to go before voters.

About seven hours before a scheduled committee vote last night, however, House Speaker Jon A. Husted canceled the meeting. The proposal by House Republicans to delay redistricting until 2011 would have required a three fifths vote in each chamber to reach the ballot.

Rep. Kevin DeWine, a Fairborn Republican and sponsor of the amendment, according to the newspaper, said that after pondering the issue during the weekend and talking to attorneys, House GOP leaders decided it could wait a year.

Hundreds of thousands of Ohioans have spoken loud and clear. They want reform, and they don't want to wait more than 6 years to see it happen.

Help us send a message to those leading this charge: We have the numbers, and we won't wait for change.

See Related

Reform Ohio Now (RON) website

RON press release on GOP's attempt to prevent redistricting

News Article: House GOP trying to prevent redistricting

Reform Ohio Now coalition needs your help to stop corruption; Links to background news articles offered  

Print Petition

Read Instructions