Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose traveled to the Mahoning Valley working to get out the vote at a special election August 8, 2023.
 
LaRose says a yes vote on Issue One will help protect the state's constitution and Ohio residents from out of state special interests.
 
Issue One would make it more difficult to pass a constitutional amendment in Ohio. Instead of 50% plus one, a vote of 60% or a super majority would be needed to pass a constitutional amendment. 
 
"Right now some folks are concerned about pretty radical pro-abortion amendment. They are trying to put in the constitution this August.  There is an effort to try and put minimum wage in the constitution. Some people may want to do things like marijuana or whatever else. None of that stuff belongs in a constitution. That should be debated in a state legislature and considered, but it shouldn't be in a founding document issue. One is about to make sure Ohio's Constitution is not for sale," Secretary of State Frank LaRose said.
 
But the Ohio League of Women Voters is encouraging folks to vote NO on issue one stating requiring 60 percent of the vote to change Ohio's Constitution would make it nearly impossible to pass a citizens led ballot initiatives. The organization says if Issue one passes only groups with deep pockets funded by special interests could get a constitutional amendment passed.
 
'Ohio ballot initiative process is really a check on power in which when the government acts in a way that acts in a way that is corrupt or is not meeting the needs of everyday Ohioans we can get out our clipboards we can collect signatures we can get issues on the ballot its already very very hard to get a constitutional amendments on the ballot and even harder to get it passed," Ohio League of Women Voters Jen Miller said. 
 
The League of Women Voters emphasized republicans have been opposed to August special elections due to lower voter turn out. but is holding one now when it could benefit them. Republicans voted to end almost all special elections in August calling them a way to sneak unpopular things such as levies past voters.
 
Many republicans pointed out that municipalities and school districts used the process to get levies through when there were few people who voted. But they voted to have this election August 8th.
 
Citizens can still initiate a change to laws but say our state shouldn't be changing our constitution for every issue that pops up.
 
Issue One is expected to drive a heavier voter turn out this August.