COLUMBUS, Ohio — Controversial House Joint Resolution 1 (HJR1) progresses through the Ohio General Assembly, drawing both proponents and opponents to debate the proposed measure.
HJR1 seeks to amend Sections 1b, 1e, and 1g of Article II and Sections 1 and 3 of Article XVI of the Ohio Constitution, requiring a minimum of 60% of voter approval for any constitutional amendment and modifying the procedures for initiative petitions proposing constitutional amendments.
The resolution states, “If approved by at least sixty percent of the electors voting thereon, any proposed amendment to the constitution submitted to the electors shall take effect thirty days after the election at which it was approved and shall be published by the secretary of state.” At present, only a simple majority is required.
Critics argue that HJR1 is a Republican strategy to thwart potential amendments aimed at safeguarding women’s reproductive rights in Ohio. Pickaway County Republican Brian Stewart introduced the resolution, stating, “When we talk about changing our Constitution, we need to make sure it has widespread support from all corners of the state.”
Stewart sponsors the resolution, which has garnered the co-sponsorship of 35 members of the House Republican caucus, reflecting the majority’s support.