Ohio Senate Bill 153 and Ohio House Bill 233 are a pair of radical, massive, and unnecessary election bills now in the Ohio General Assembly. Not only would these bills make it harder for statewide initiatives, local issues, and candidates to make it onto the ballot, these bills would make it harder for Ohioans to cast a ballot and would add unacceptable, unfunded burdens to local Boards of Elections.

The power of the vote and the citizen initiatives are the strongest tools Ohioans have to push back on government overreach, hold politicians accountable, and allow us to play a real role in shaping policy in our communities. Once again, corrupt politicians are trying to limit the power of everyday Ohioans.

Here’s a snapshot of who these bills would hurt:

• Ohio citizens trying to make changes an out of touch Statehouse won’t: These bills have new rules to make collecting signatures for citizen initiatives and referendums much harder and more expensive, and even tries to intimidate citizen organizers and volunteers with politically motivated investigations to make making it to the ballot even more challenging.
• Local governments, businesses, and citizen groups in Ohio trying to put issues onto their community ballots: These strict rules would apply to everyone trying to get something on the ballot, like a liquor ordinance for a small business, proposed zoning change for affordable housing, or new charter amendments for better government.
• Grassroots and independent candidates in Ohio who want to run for office: Candidates rely on volunteers to collect the signatures they need to qualify for the ballot, and grassroots and independent candidates who don’t have the funding and infrastructure support from party and corporate donors would be especially hurt by the rules in this bill that would needlessly invalidate signatures and create fear for volunteer organizers.
• Ohio voters: This legislation would ban all drop boxes, which are a secure, direct method for voters to submit voter registration forms, absentee ballot request forms, and absentee ballots. Thousands of voters could also be forced to vote provisionally– even if they haven't moved or changed their name. 
• Ohio county Boards of Elections, election officials, and election workers: These bills would bury our Boards of Elections with unwarranted and excessive busywork and take election officials and election workers away from their important work of supporting voters and keeping our elections secure. This bill is the definition of “unfunded mandate”: obligation without resources.

SB153 and HB 233 are a cynical attempt to rewrite election law and crush Ohio’s direct democracy. This attack on voters, our petition process, and our elections is just one more cynical ploy to rig the system in favor of powerful special interests, taking power away from Ohio citizens.