Not just Ohio: Biased language is the hot new tactic to thwart ballot measures

Wording can affect a measure’s support among voters

BY: ZACHARY ROTH
AUGUST 31, 2023

Abortion-rights supporters filed a lawsuit Monday against what they call “deceptive” ballot language produced by Ohio officials for the state’s closely-watched upcoming referendum on the issue. But it isn’t just the Buckeye State that’s lately seeing fierce battles over the once-obscure topic of ballot language.

In recent weeks, officials in Missouri — where another abortion-rights measure is at issue — and Idaho also have been accused in lawsuits of seeking to thwart citizen initiatives they oppose by using biased and negative ballot language to describe the issue to voters. Arkansas last year saw a similar court fight after a state board rejected a proposed ballot measure that had gained the required number of signatures, claiming the ballot language didn’t explain the issue in enough detail.

Continued: https://coloradonewsline.com/2023/08/31/biased-language-ballot-measures/

Abortion rights amendment qualifies for November ballot in Ohio

By Terence Burlij and Jack Forrest, CNN
Tue July 25, 2023

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced Tuesday that organizers submitted enough valid signatures to put an amendment on the November ballot to enshrine abortion rights in the state’s constitution.

“I hereby certify that petitioners submitted 495,938 total valid signatures on behalf of the proposed statewide initiative,” LaRose wrote in a letter to petitioners, clearing the hurdle of roughly 414,000 signatures required to be placed on the ballot this fall.

Continued: https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/25/politics/ohio-abortion-rights-amendment/index.html

25.07.2023

News

constitutional amendment to guarantee abortion

Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights

Ohio abortion rights ballot measure receives nearly double the needed signatures

Jul 5, 2023

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Groups hoping to enshrine abortion rights in Ohio’s constitution delivered nearly double the number of signatures needed to place an amendment on the fall statewide ballot, aiming to signal sweeping widespread support for an issue that still faces the threat of needing a significantly increased victory margin.

Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights said they dropped off more than 700,000 petition signatures on Wednesday to Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office in downtown Columbus. LaRose now will work with local election boards to determine that at least 413,446 are valid, which would get the proposal onto the Nov. 7 ballot.

Continued: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/ohio-abortion-rights-ballot-measure-receives-nearly-double-the-needed-signatures

05.07.2023