VICTORY FOR DEMOCRACY: OHIOANS DEFEAT BALLOT INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO CURB VOTERS’ POWER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
AUGUST 8, 2023

PRESS CONTACT:
Sarah Harris, [email protected] 

Stand Up America Members Sent More Than 1.4 Million Peer-to-Peer Texts and 24,000 Handwritten Letters to Get Out the Vote

COLUMBUS— Tonight, Ohio voters defeated Issue 1, a proposed constitutional amendment designed to undermine direct democracy. Issue 1 would have raised the threshold to pass citizen-led ballot initiatives, including this November’s ballot issue protecting reproductive freedom, to 60%, making it harder for Ohioans to have a say in policies that affect their lives.

Sean Eldridge, Founder and President of Stand Up America and an Ohio native, applauded this crucial victory for democracy:

“Ohio voters resoundingly rejected this anti-democratic attempt to reduce their influence over public policy in the Buckeye State, including abortion rights. Ohioans sent a clear message that Americans will stand up to power-hungry politicians’ attacks on direct democracy and our freedom to vote.

“Stand Up America was proud to partner with pro-democracy activists across Ohio to defeat Issue One. This cynical special election was just the latest attempt by MAGA Republicans to reduce the power of voters in determining the future of our country. We stand ready to help defeat any similar anti-democratic measures across the country.”

Stand Up America members sent 1,412,703 peer-to-peer texts, joined hundreds of volunteer shifts, and sent over 24,000 handwritten letters to educate Ohio voters about what was at stake in the special election and get out the vote to oppose Issue 1. Stand Up America also partnered with our national surrogates network to mobilize prominent celebrities including Andy Cohen and Amy Schumer to encourage their fans to vote.

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About Stand Up America
Stand Up America is a progressive advocacy organization with nearly two million community members across the country. Focused on grassroots advocacy to stand up to corruption and voter suppression and build a more representative democracy, Stand Up America has driven over 1.7 million calls to lawmakers, registered over 100,000 voters, mobilized thousands of protestors, and contacted tens of millions of voters.

Website: StandUpAmerica.com
Twitter: @StandUpAmerica
Instagram: @StandUp_America
Facebook: @StandUpAmerica