Last Updated on August 8, 2023
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi commanded Ohioans to vote No on issue 1 in Wednesday’s special election. If passed, Issue 1 would raise the threshold to 60% for constitutional reform to pass. Currently, it only takes 50% of the vote to reform Ohio’s Constitution. Supporters of Issue 1 say raising the threshold removes the ability of special interests to influence Ohio law. Pelosi is known for having deep connections to special interests.
Before the polls opened in Ohio, Pelosi tweeted, “Extreme Republicans are trying to convince Ohioans to give away their own power at the polls — but you can help stop this! Call voters to Vote NO on Issue 1 to preserve Majority Rule — One Person, One Vote.”
Extreme Republicans are trying to convince Ohioans to give away their own power at the polls — but you can help stop this!
Call voters to Vote NO on Issue 1 to preserve Majority Rule — One Person, One Vote: https://t.co/7cVnziCLuf#MondayMotivation
— Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) August 7, 2023
Ohio Senator JD Vance responded to Pelosi’s tweet, writing, “We’re actually trying to make it harder for out of state special interests to rewrite the Ohio constitution. Vote yes on 1 today to tell Nancy Pelosi to mind her own business.”
We’re actually trying to make it harder for out of state special interests to rewrite the Ohio constitution.
Vote yes on 1 today to tell Nancy Pelosi to mind her own business. https://t.co/xUKfhqntzS
— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) August 8, 2023
Pelosi’s deep connection to special interest groups is why the former speaker opposes Issue 1. Trump won Ohio by over eight points in 2016 and 2020, turning Ohio from a swing state to a red state.
Joe Biden is the only modern president not to win the state of Ohio. Ohio’s state-level Republicans played a key role in stopping massive mail-in voting in the 2020 election. Ohio’s 2020 election was free and fair, leading Trump to win the state significantly.
Democrats know they cannot win Ohio without changing Ohio’s rules to vote. Ohio’s current constitution only requires 50 percent of the vote to make a change, meaning a far-left interest group could propose a mail-in voting measure to Ohio’s constitution, then have an off-year election in hopes of passing the measure in a low turnout election. If successful, the measure becomes law, and Ohio’s presidential election is compromised.
Issue 1 puts free and fair elections on the ballot. This is why Nancy Pelosi is so opposed to the measure.