Opinion: There’s a case to be made for Republicans wanting to toughen standards on constitutional amendments. Ironically, Republicans wouldn’t like it.
Abe Kwok
Arizona Republic
Ohio legislators brazenly tried to influence a pending public vote in that state on abortion access.
Their timing and motivation were obvious and odious. Ohioans last week soundly rejected the politicians’ plan.
But the essence of what was proposed — raising the approval threshold to 60% to change the state constitution — isn’t outrageous.
It’s a debate worth having especially in Arizona, as Republican lawmakers continue their push to rein in direct democracy.
Arizona should consider a similar measure
People celebrate the defeat of Ohio’s Issue 1 during an election night party at the Columbus Fire Fighters Local 67 on Aug. 8, 2023.
This legislative session, they referred to the 2024 ballot a proposal that would impose signature-distribution requirements on all citizen-led measures — a fixed percentage from each of Arizona’s 30 legislative districts.
Current law makes no demands on where signatures are collected.
The proposal that Ohioans defeated called for similar signature-distribution mandates, along with the 60% approval standard.
So, why isn’t the 60% threshold part of the equation in Arizona?
It’s not because of voters, necessarily.
Arizonans opened the door to the idea of a supermajority on ballot initiatives last year when they adopted legislatively referred Proposition 132, which requires 60% approval on propositions to raise taxes.
It should be harder to change the constitution
