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View
this message online at www.ohiomarriage.com
 IMPORTANT
UPDATE
FROM
THE
OHIO
CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT MARRIAGE
We
are still waiting to hear the number of signatures
declared valid by each County Board of Elections Office. They were required to
have their counts complete by Friday, August 27 but apparently not all have
reported to the Secretary of State or the SOS has not finished assimilating the
data. And it appears we will not have a final
report until late September.
Some
of the preliminary reports we have received from County Boards show invalidation
rates ranging from less than 15% to over 45%. Individual signatures and entire
petitions have been thrown out because of errors such as failing to fully
complete the solicitor's statement, improper tally of how many signatures were
witnessed, and allowing someone to sign the petition for another person. Most
often the person signing the petition was simply not registered to vote.
In
virtually all of these cases, we have someone who genuinely supports the
amendment and desires to protect marriage but because of these errors their
voice will likely not be heard. It seems a shame to disenfranchise so many
Ohioans from this process.
But the rules for changing the state constitution have been put in
place to insure that it's done in an orderly and democratic manner and one that will
keep our society more stable without huge sea-changes in our form of government
or policies. We have our founders to thank for it.
Sadly,
we also have our lawmakers to blame for a system in Ohio that allows the types
of challenges and delays that are underway by homosexual activists. The State Legislature had the
opportunity to place the amendment on the ballot but chose not to. Based on the
rules that apply to initiative petitions, it appears that it has to be their way
or no way.
So
far, the opponents of marriage are using every loophole available to stop it
from getting to the ballot. The organization driving the protests, along with
their attorney Don McTigue, will not let democracy get in their way.
WHAT
DO WE DO UNTIL THEN?
In
the meantime, we can and should continue to collect signatures. Based on the
invalidation rates we have seen, particularly in some of the largest counties,
we could fall below the required minimum of 322,899 valid signatures. If that
happens, the Secretary of State will inform us by certified letter of the
shortfall and will then give us 10 days in which to submit supplemental
petitions.
Since
we don't know when that could occur, we are encouraging everyone to continue
collecting for the next several weeks and have everything to the OCPM office by September 21.
This would be the last time we could turn in signatures toward this petition. If
we fail to meet the minimum after the second submission, we would have to start
over again. Of course, this would be devastating and it just cannot be allowed
to happen. If we can turn in an additional 150,000 signatures, it would
more than insure that we have a sufficient
number to get on the ballot.
Over
the next few weeks, please look for large events such as county fairs or
football games where you could circulate a petition
for additional signatures. In the process, be sure to follow the
instructions very carefully to insure that every
signature counts!
Thank
you again from the Ohio Campaign to Protect
Marriage. Your concern and hard work will not go
unnoticed.
PROPOSED
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR OHIO
"Only
a union between one man and one woman may be a
marriage valid in or recognized
by this state and its political subdivisions.
This state and its political subdivisions shall
not create or
recognize a legal status for relationships of
unmarried individuals that intends to approximate
the design, qualities, significance or effect of
marriage."
ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES
In his latest
book, Marriage
Under Fire, Dr. James Dobson defends the
sanctity of traditional marriage, presenting
clearly defined reasons for it in the legal,
financial, social and emotional arenas. Dobson
says Christians everywhere must rally to become
a solid force now more than ever.
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