For Immediate Release: December 6, 2023
Contact: Ryan Hite, Communications Director
“Invalid and Unenforceable” Amendment Now Before State Supreme Court
Washington, D.C.: Phyllis Schlafly Eagles filed an amicus curiae brief in the Ohio Supreme Court on on behalf of itself, Janet Porter, and 14 additional fantastic pro-life leaders, organizations, and former and current legislators. Our brief opposes the enactment of Ohio Issue 1, concluding that “Issue 1 is invalid and unenforceable as a revision or amendment to the Ohio Constitution.”
“Issue 1 makes an abortionist the sole judge of his conduct as he performs abortions up until birth, and in some cases completes them after birth,” our brief asserts. Issue 1 is contrary to long-established principles of law and the Ohio Constitution, and it would incorrectly strip authority from the General Assembly. This revision of authority “may only be done by a constitutional convention, not through a mere ballot initiative amendment process,” our brief continues.
Our brief makes the case that this far-reaching ballot initiative violates our “republican form of government” guaranteed by Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution. John and Andy Schlafly’s national column has recently addressed the problem of ballot initiatives run amok across our states. Leftist and even foreign billionaires are increasingly pouring money into ballot initiatives to transform the states that allow them.
We are a republic whereby our laws should be made by elected representatives after public hearings and informed debate. We are not a direct democracy for lawmaking by ballot harvesting and drop-box ballot dumps.
Further documentation:
- Amicus Brief — Ohio Issue 1 | December 4, 2023
- Column: End Ballot Initiatives: We Are Not a Direct Democracy – April 25, 2023
- Column: GOP Should Reject Improper Ballot Initiatives – November 14, 2023
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