(COLUMBUS, OH—8/9/2023) — Today, CAIR-Ohio celebrated the results of yesterday’s special election. Ohioans have made history and garnered national attention in the August special election by rejecting Issue 1, a proposal backed by special interest groups that aimed to undermine the power of citizen-led ballot initiatives. The defeat of Issue 1, which sought to raise the threshold for passing Constitutional Amendments or citizen-initiated measures from a simple majority (50% + 1) to a supermajority (60%), marks a significant victory for democratic values. Moreover, Issue 1 intended to:
- Require citizens who want to place an amendment on the ballot to collect signatures from at least 5% of voters from the last gubernatorial election in all 88 counties, instead of the current 44.
- Eliminate a 10-day cure period that allows citizens to replace any signatures deemed faulty by the secretary of state’s office.
In a noteworthy effort to raise awareness and educate the public about Issue 1, CAIR-Ohio organized efforts to increase the participation of the Ohio Muslim community in the election. Actions included:
- Designing and curating tools and resources for Get-Out-The-Vote efforts by providing toolkits, voter guides, infographics, videos, presentations, and mailing postcards.
- Translating materials into other languages to encourage participation amongst
Arabic and Somali speakers. - Conducting weekly tabling and information sharing at congregational Friday Jummah prayers to address misinformation and engage with mosque attendees.
- Disseminating resources through masjid leaders’ network, student groups through high school and college students, and providing clarity on social media networks—such as Facebook and WhatsApp groups.
In a statement, CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox said:
“Yesterday, united against adversity, we stood strong. The defeat of Issue 1 wasn’t just a vote, but a resounding ‘NO’ to discrimination, injustice, and the erosion of our rights. Our unity protected our democracy’s essence, proving that when voices join, they triumph. We celebrate this win, and know that we have much more work ahead of us to defeat the corruption of our legislature.”
CAIR-Ohio extends its heartfelt appreciation to all who stood against this undemocratic proposal. We commend the diverse coalition of citizens, activists, and community members for their dedication to preserving participatory democracy. Your collective efforts in spreading awareness, dispelling misinformation, and fostering unity have left an enduring mark on Ohio’s democratic landscape.
