The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 17, 2025
In 2024, a ballot measure to replace Ohio’s dysfunctional politician-led redistricting process with an independent citizen-led process had its description rewritten by state officials to sink it. Now, Ohio officials are trying to sink two more measures they don’t like, and the U.S. Supreme Court is now involved.
Some background. Ohio’s “fair & truthful” ballot measure requirements allows the state to modify a ballot measure’s description to make it accurate for voters. But can it use that authority to manipulate the process and block citizens from moving their ballot measure forward?
Organizers tried for two years to get the language okayed to gather signatures for the “Protecting Ohioans’ Constitutional Rights” measure, giving citizens the private right to sue the state and removing the “qualified immunity” that police and government officials are currently given.
While organizers have acted in good faith, Federal District Court Judge Karen Nelson Moore wrote that Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost found fault and rejected the proposed amendment language EIGHT TIMES, and found the reasons “dubious.” The three-judge panel ruled 2-1 that Ohio was restricting the organizers’ speech and must approve the measure’s description.
But April 9th, Yost appealed to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh for an emergency stay of the 6th Circuit’s order, which Kavanugh immediately granted despite the sketchy circumstances. We’ll continue to watch this situation. We have the 6th Circuit’s decision at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Statehouse News Bureau – Group behind qualified immunity amendment sues Ohio Attorney General over latest rejection
Ohio Attorney General – Unapproved language of “Protecting Ohioans’ Constitutional Rights” measure
6th Circuit Court of Appeals – Opinion in Brown v. Yost
U.S. Supreme Court – Yost’s Application to Justice Brett Kavanaugh for Emergency Stay
U.S. Supreme Court – Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s order, staying the 6th Circuit
Courthouse News Service – Supreme Court keeps Ohio’s qualified immunity ballot initiative on ice
Groups Taking Action:
Ohio Coalition to End Qualified Immunity, Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#Democracy #DemocracyNews #Ohio #BallotMeasure #Suppression #DaveYost