Proposals would put new guardrails on those who circulate petitions
Ohio House Republicans want to establish guardrails for signature collection on ballot issues.
Like many measures today, the push is viewed as either a way to safeguard elections or an attack on “democracy.”
The plan currently under consideration would change several state laws governing petition circulators, including requiring people who circulate petitions to publicly affirm whether they are paid for their efforts.
“Bottom line, this is [an] attack on direct democracy,” the Ohio Capital Journal quoted Jen Miller from Ohio’s League of Women Voters. “This is an attack on local control. It’s an attempt to bully, intimidate, harass, and possibly prosecute people just because they want to take part in democracy.”
The proposal is included in two measures that lawmakers have introduced: House Bill 233 and Senate Bill 153.
Senate Bill 153, sponsored by state Sens. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, and Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, made headlines as it requires proof of citizenship to cast a ballot in the state.
As proposed, a voter’s citizenship must be confirmed when registering or updating their registration. It also mandates that the Secretary of State routinely review statewide voter rolls to determine possible non-citizens.
However, other provisions of the measure center on people who circulate petitions, including a requirement that they sign a statement as part of every petition consenting to Ohio’s jurisdiction. Additionally, the petition circulator must confirm the number of signatures on a petition.
In addition to requiring anyone who is compensated for circulating a petition to wear a badge identifying them as paid circulators, anyone who is compensated to circulate an election petition must give the name and address of anyone who is footing the bill.
The measure stipulates that anyone who signs an election petition must be registered to vote at the address listed on the petition when they sign, rather than as of the date the petition is filed with elections officials.
Under the measure, any committee representing a petition’s proponents must select someone who will be served with all notices of matters or proceedings related to the petition. The committee must also designate in writing the names and addresses of one or more members or agents who agree to testify on its behalf.
“Ohio is the gold standard when it comes to running elections,” Gavarone said in a statement. “Senate Bill 153 addresses areas of the election law we can improve, including an extra layer of protection to enforce our state constitution’s citizenship requirement. This is a simple fix that strengthens trust and integrity in our institutions.”
The Senate version of the bill has been referred to the Senate General Government Committee. State Reps. Jeff LaRe, R-Violet Township, and D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, have also sponsored the House version.
While the bills have not yet advanced from the committees, opponents and voting rights groups are wasting little time expressing their displeasure with and opposing the proposals.
“This extreme legislation is an attempt to bully, intimidate, and hassle these front-line heroes,” the Ohio Capital Journal quotedCommon Cause Ohio Executive Director Catherine Turcer.
“And it is accepted as a change that was legally made,” Turcer added. “House bill 233, and Senate bill 153, would make it so that any error here, anything that you made a mistake on, it would mean that the entire booklet would be invalid. And just, I can’t imagine the number of signatures that would just get tossed out.”
