User:Freedomohio/sandbox

FreedomOhio is a 501c(4) organization dedicated to repealing and replacing Ohio's 2004 marriage ban via initiated Constitutional Amendment. FreedomOhio was organized by a group of Ohio concerned citizens, and grassroots activists who hired Ohio's premier election And Constitutinal lawyers to draft an Amendment that would secure voter approval. In doing so, FreedomOhio blended a simplified Amendment to allow marriage equality with a religious exclusion clause that allows religious institutions to refuse to recognize or perform a marriage.

More can be found about FreedomOhio online at Go to FreedomOhio website

Ohio's Constitution allows voters to propose Amendments to the State Constitution via initiated petition. Doing so requires the Title and Summary to be certified by the Ohio Attorney General and approved by the Ohio Ballot Board. FreedomOhio's Summary petition was filed on March 26, 2012 and received the Attorney General certification on April 3, 2012. The Ohio Ballot Board approved the petition On April 5, 2012.

FreedomOhio supporters were then permitted to begin circulation of the petition. Below are the Title, Summary, Full Text and The text of the Section being repealed and replaced.

Title The Freedom to Marry and Religious Freedom Amendment

Summary This amendment would repeal and replace Section 11, Article XV of the Constitution to: 1. Allow two consenting adults freedom to enter into a marriage regardless of gender; 2. Give religious institutions freedom to determine whom to marry; 3. Give religious institutions protection to refuse to perform a marriage.

Full text of Amendment Be it Resolved by the People of the State of Ohio that Article XV, Section 11 of the Ohio Constitution be adopted and read as follows: Section 11. In the State of Ohio and its political subdivisions, marriage shall be a union of two consenting adults not nearer of kin than second cousins, and not having a husband or wife living, and no religious institution shall be required to perform or recognize a marriage.

(The Section below is being repealed) Section 11. 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.