Toolkit: Stop HJR1/SJR 2

For over 100 years, Ohio citizens have had the power to collect signatures and place an initiative on the ballot so voters can decide whether or not to amend our state constitution.

Now, a few Ohio politicians are trying to take that power away.

These same politicians are trying to bring back August elections (Ohio got rid of the August election last year, because they are expensive and wasteful).

We have to stop them.

NO HJR 1. NO HJR 2. NO August Elections.

In this document:

Contact these State Reps (phone calls are best, but any contact is important!):

House Speaker Jason Stephens:
- 614-466-1366
- Twitter: @jasoncstephens
- Email: rep93@ohiohouse.gov
Cindy Abrams:
- 614-466-9091
- Twitter: @AbramsforOhio
- Email: rep29@ohiohouse.gov
Don Jones:
- 614-644-8728
- Twitter: @DonJonesOhio
- Email: rep95@ohiohouse.gov
Jeff LaRe:
- 614-466-8100
- Twitter: @realJeffLaRe
- Email: rep73@ohiohouse.gov
Jamie Callender:
- 614-644-6074
- Twitter: @JamieCallender
- Email: rep57@ohiohouse.gov
Gail Pavliga:
- 614-466-2004
- Email: rep72@ohiohouse.gov
Sharon Ray:
- 614-466-8140
- Twitter: @sharonrayohio
- Email: rep66@ohiohouse.gov
Haraz Ghanbari:
- 614-466-8104
- Twitter: @HarazGhanbari
- Email: rep75@ohiohouse.gov
Andrea White:
- 614-644-6008
- Twitter: @AndreaWhite2020
- Email: rep36@ohiohouse.gov
Jay Edwards:
- 614-466-2158
- Twitter: @JayEdwardsOhio
- Email: rep94@ohiohouse.gov
Brett Hillyer:
- 614-466-8035
- Twitter: @RepHillyer
- Email: rep51@ohiohouse.gov
Gayle Manning:
- 614-644-5076
- Twitter: @GayleManningOH
- Email: rep52@ohiohouse.gov
Scott Oelslager:
- 614-752-2438
- Twitter: @Scott_Oelslager
- Email: rep48@ohiohouse.gov
Tom Patton:
- 614-466-4895
- Twitter: @TomPattonOH ‏
- Email: rep17@ohiohouse.gov
Bill Seitz:
- 614-466-8258
- Twitter: @CincySeitz
- Email: rep30@ohiohouse.gov

Tell them:

NO on HJR 1
NO on SJR 2
NO August elections

Arguments to make:

There are literally hundreds of Ohio organizations opposing HJR 1, SJR 2, and August elections. Thousands of Ohio residents have called and emailed and testified and rallied against these bills. The entire campaign supporting the bills is funded by one Illinois billionaire. Tell each state rep: If they support Ohio and Ohio voters, they’ll help kill these bills.
This is not a partisan issue. No one wants HJR 1 / HJR 2 to pass.
- Every living former Ohio governor (2 Rs and 2 Ds) publicly opposes these resolutions.
- Former Republican and Democratic attorneys general also oppose these resolutions.
HJR 1 and SJR 2 would take away the power of the people and give more power to big government. Ask each state rep: Do they support big government control, or do they stand with the people of Ohio?
Legislators need to respect Ohioans’ freedom to have a say in their state government.
Ohio’s Republican supermajority voted to get rid of August elections last year. They said August elections are expensive and wasteful. They said hardly anyone votes in August elections, which means a tiny minority of voters get to make big decisions. Isn’t all that still true now? Why would anyone bring back August elections?
It would cost Ohio taxpayers $20 million to hold an August election this year. If politicians vote for any of these three bills/resolutions, they’re voting to take another $20 million from hardworking Ohioans.

Rally at the Statehouse Wednesday 5/10

Join us at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday (5/10) to tell Ohio lawmakers NO HJR 1. NO HJR 2. NO August Elections.
- Gather at 12:30 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church, 125 E Broad St, Columbus, OH, 43215. More details / RSVP here
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Resources / Learn More

News articles

Official documents

HJR 1
SJR 2
SB 92 (bill to bring back August elections)
Note: There is an identical version on SB 92 (HB 144) moving in the House:
- https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/135/hb144/documents

Calls to Action