Why You Should Vote Yes on Issue 1

Ohio Voters Defeat Issue 1 by 57%-43%
in Record Turnout for an August Election


Akron, OH: Today, Tom Zawistowski, President of the national We the People Convention (WTPC) organization, expressed his disappointment and concern after Ohio voters defeated State Issue 1 by a 57% to 43% margin on Tuesday, August 8th. Passage of Issue 1 would have raised the percentage of popular votes necessary to pass a Constitutional Amendment in Ohio to 60% from the current standard of 50% +1.

Zawistowski said, “Fueled by tens of millions of dollars in TV ads and other media, Ohioans turned out in historic numbers as over three million voters, 38% of all registered voters, came out to vote on Issue 1 which was defeated by a margin of 429,000 votes. Looking at the county-by-county voter results, it is my view that the left did not win Issue 1 as much as the conservative right lost the vote. This was primarily a result of confusion that was intentionally injected into the campaign by very clever, and I would say misleading, TV ads run by the left at the start of the campaign. These ad split the conservative vote just enough in rural communities to sway the election and cause the defeat of Issue 1."

Zawistowski continued, "Raising the bar to 60% of the popular vote was intended to make it harder for outside big money special interests to change the Ohio Constitution in the future. This became necessary once it was understood that, after Roe v Wade was reversed, the radical left discovered that it could “Legislate via Constitutional Amendment”. Even in red states which were vulnerable because of existing laws allowing for “Citizens Initiatives” like what they passed in Kansas earlier this year and Ohio is their next target. Unfortunately, we were unable to help Ohio Citizens understand that what the left has planned is much broader and deeper and more radical than just the November Abortion/Trans/Parents Rights Amendment. This vote was about the FUTURE Ohio Constitutional Amendments that the Left has planned for Guns, School Choice, Small Businesses, Farmers, Parents Rights, future election laws and more. Which was proven by comments made by the Democratic Mayor of Cleveland when he said the quiet part out loud that people should vote NO on Issue 1 so that they, the left, can implement gun control in Ohio using future Constitutional Amendments.”

Zawistowski concluded, “There were implications in this election for the 2024 election as well. Despite a significant effort to convince conservative voters to vote early in person or by mail, they did not do that in significant numbers, and the left built an early vote lead that was basically the margin of victory in the end. Clearly early voting continues to provide an advantage for the Left's get-out-the-vote machine. I want to thank the tens of thousands of grassroots activists in Ohio, and our coalition partners, who worked very hard to educate voters and get out the vote in their counties. Especially those who participated in our very successful Barn Billboard program. I also want to thank the tens of thousands of poll workers who make our elections possible and who did an excellent job on Tuesday. We know now that we will now have to regroup and make changes to our efforts so that we can defeat the radical Abortion/Trans/Parents Rights Amendment in November.”


From The Becker Report by Former Ohio House Member John Becker:


What is Issue 1 on the August 8, 2023 ballot?

Put simply, it requires 60 percent approval for future amendments to the Ohio Constitution.


Why is that important?

The Ohio Constitution is a mess. It’s filled with legislation that belongs in the Ohio Revised Code. Currently, big money groups from outside Ohio have the ability to finance large scale efforts to change the Ohio Constitution with a simple majority vote of the people. This 60 percent rule to protect our constitution should have been put in place decades ago. Regardless, if we don’t pass this, our constitution will undoubtedly get worse.
 

What groups are supporting this protection?

In addition to my personal endorsement, the Clermont County Republican Party, State Treasurer Robert Sprague, and many more.

Cincinnati Right to Life put out a memo with this paragraph:
A groundswell of organizations including the Ohio Republican Party, Center for Christian Virtue, the National Federation of Independent Business in Ohio, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Restaurant Association, and Ohio Right to Life are mobilizing Ohioans to vote yes on Issue 1. Many recognize that for too long, Ohio’s Constitution has been up for sale to the highest bidder. From casinos to drug-legalization pushers to abortionists, special interests with millions of dollars have targeted the Ohio Constitution because of the ease of amending our state’s founding document.
 
Cincinnati Right to Life 6/22/2023
 
Additionally, a good summary came from Buckeye Firearms:
 
A YES vote on Issue 1 protects our Second Amendment rights from deep-pocketed, out-of-state interests, like anti-gun Mike Bloomberg. So, of course, gun grabbers and the media are spreading lies to get people to vote against it in the upcoming Aug. 8 special election.
One lie is that Issue 1 is radical and undemocratic because it makes it harder to change Ohio’s constitution.

But changing a constitution is supposed to be difficult — more difficult than changing ordinary laws. For example, the founders made it hard to change the U.S. Constitution. To amend it requires a 2/3 vote of both chambers of Congress and a vote of 3/4 of state legislatures.

Most states make it hard to change their constitutions as well. For example, Colorado requires a 55% vote. Florida requires a 60% vote. New Hampshire requires a 66% vote.

And guess what? The Ohio Democratic Party itself requires a vote of 60% to amend its own bylaws, i.e., their party constitution! That’s exactly the same vote threshold Issue 1 calls for to change Ohio’s constitution!

Dean Rieck, Executive Director


Friends of Liberty United (FOLU) put out this statement:
 
Over 30 states already require 60% to amend their state constitution. Issue 1 just aligns Ohio with the majority of other states.

Since 1851, Ohio’s Constitution has been amended 172 times while the US Constitution has been amended only 27 times since 1789! Even a Presidential veto takes a 2/3 vote (@67%) in the House before a bill becomes a law. Ohio has 88 counties. When only 5% of voters signing initiative petition in 44 counties to be required for initiative petitions, this already leaves half (50%) of our counties not represented. If a proposed amendment is good, these new requirements should not be a problem.

Friends of Liberty United (FOLU)
 
Also consider “Why Ohio’s Constitution Should be Hard to Amend.”
Also "Why Governor Dewine will be votine YES on Issue 1"
And “Why Hunters and Sportsmen Should Vote Yes on Issue 1.”
And the “Ohio Farm Bureau supports Issue 1.”
 

Important Dates:


July 10: Voter registration deadline for August 8 election.
July 11: Early in-person voting for August 8 election begins.
August 1: Deadline to request absentee ballot for August 8 election.
August 8: Election Day.
 


Join Fellow Patriots This Friday
at the Fund Raiser for
Jan 6th Political Prisoner Trevor Cain
 

Where: Union House Restaurant, 2713 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44134
When: Friday, July 28, 2023 from 7:00 - 10:00 PM
What: $30 Donation at the Door Gets you Buffet and 2 Drink Tokens
 



Portage County TEA Party Member Arrested & Charged Unjustly for Jan 6th Actions


After over two years of taking no action the DOJ and the FBI decided that they needed to charge PCTEA Member Trevor Cain for his actions at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The reason that they initially took no action was because Trevor DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG! He even turned over his cell phone on which he had video of Capitol Police inviting him and many other Patriots into the Capitol Building! He broke nothing, he took nothing, he did not assault any police, he simply walked around the Capitol singing Patriotic Songs for 30 minutes and then he left peacefully!

So why did the Department of "Injustice" and the FBI decide to arrest him now - nearly two and a half years later??? Because there is an election coming up and we can't have you pesky Patriots standing up and fighting back against the illegitimate Biden Regime and the Deep State! So we are going to make a public spectacle of arresting Trevor Cain, and plant a completely one sided and totally exaggerated article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, as a warning to ALL OF US that you better not fight back in the 2024 Election or this will happen to YOU!

Their intimidation tactics didn't work when Obama sent the IRS after US. It didn't work when they arrested Patriots for resisting the Covid Lockdowns and Mask Mandates and Vax Mandates. It didn't work when they started unjustly arresting Patriots after January 6th. It didn't work even when they arrested Trump himself! We will NOT BE SILENCED and we WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED and we WILL NOT GIVE UP OUR FIGHT TO RECLAIM CONTROL OF OUR GOVERNMENT and bring these unlawful actors to Justice!

It is our duty as Patriots to fight this injustice and help Trevor Cain defend himself until we can win the Election in 2024 and have him and the other January 6th Patriots Pardoned. I am asking you to click on his GiveSendGo.com image below and make a donation to help pay for his legal fees. It's real simple. If you will not fight to defend Trevor Cain when they came for him then who will fight to defend you when they come for you? For your safety, GiveSendGo.com allows you to make anonymous donations if you like. Please DONATE TODAY and share this email with others and SPEAK OUT about the Injustices being done to January 6th Political Prisoners to everyone you know!

For Liberty,

Tom Zawistowski
Executive Director
Portage County TEA Party



 
 

The PCTEA Morns the Passing of our Past President Bob Longshore


Former Portage County TEA Party President, Bob Longshore, passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. He was a true Patriot and Statesman and we were honored to know him and to have worked with him for all of these years.

He was with the Portage County TEA Party from the very start on July 11, 2009 and he contributed to our growth and effectiveness in many ways using his organizational and communications skills. Their was no task that Bob would not take on to help us elect conservatives and defend our nation. As a result he played an integral role in our organization turning Portage County from Solid Democrat Blue in 2009 to Solid Republican Red by 2018.

Bob also founded and ran a very successful non-profit organization called Caring Neighbors United which raised money through it's popular flower sales and other efforts to provide scholarships for Portage County children to attend the popular Liberty Camp for Kids. Through that effort alone hundreds of kids got to attend Liberty Camp over the years.

He made our community, our county, our state and our nation a better place through his many efforts over the many years. We appreciate his military service and that of all the Veterans who have been members of the Portage County TEA Party. He had many friends in the Portage County TEA Party.

We give our sincere condolences to his wife Marge and to all of his family members. May he rest in Eternal Peace. We will miss you Bob Longshore.
 

Huge Red Wave in Portage County on November 8th


Thank you Patriots for KEEPING Portage County Conservative! It was a near sweep yesterday thanks to Portage County Republican Party Chairman Amanda Suffecool, her executive committee and central committee members, the great candidates who ran as Republicans, and YOU the Voters! Thank you also to so many of you who worked at the polls on election day and to all the staff at the Portage County Board of Elections who made sure that we had a fair and smooth election! Here are the results from lasts night:
  • Rep. Gail Pavliga won 22,227 to 21,038 against former representative and county commissioner Kathleen Clyde.
  • Mike Tinlin, former Aurora police chief and Streetsboro city council member, was elected to the county board of commissioners with 34,133 votes to 24,140 against former Portage County NAACP president Geraldine Hayes Nelson.
  • Steve Demetriou will serve as state representative after a large victory against Democrat Lori O’Neill. 
  • Former Mogadore village council member Matt Kellywill take the county auditor seat after defeating Portage County Treasurer Brad Cromes.
  • Judge Laurie Pittman will continue in her position at the court of common pleas, winning 32,889 to 18,359 against Republican challenger Wes Buchanan.

ALL the State and Federal Republican Candidates also won the elections in Portage County including JD Vance and Madison Gesiotto Gilbert and Dave Joyce. Plus all three of the critical Ohio Supreme Court Candidates! All Patriots in Portage County deserve massive credit for rejecting the destructive policies and ideologies of the Communist former Democrat Party and standing for Individual Freedom, Liberty and Prosperity. Congratulations to everyone who voted, ran, and worked to elect these conservative candidates!

For Liberty,

Tom Zawistowski
Executive Director
Portage County TEA Party

Here is the Call to Action for ALL Portage County Conservatives:
The Portage County TEA Party also ask ALL VOTERS to vote for John Hagan for Ohio State School Board in District 9! John has been a warrior fighting against CRT and the destructive "Trans-Agenda" being forced upon our children and grandchildren by the Democrat Communist Controlled Unions!
 

VOTE YES ON BOTH ISSUES 1 & ISSUES 2

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Why YOU Should Vote YES on Issue 1

What is Issue 1 on the August 8, 2023 ballot?

Put simply, it requires 60 percent approval for future amendments to the Ohio Constitution.


Why is that important?

The Ohio Constitution is a mess. It’s filled with legislation that belongs in the Ohio Revised Code. Currently, big money groups from outside Ohio have the ability to finance large scale efforts to change the Ohio Constitution with a simple majority vote of the people. This 60 percent rule to protect our constitution should have been put in place decades ago. Regardless, if we don’t pass this, our constitution will undoubtedly get worse.
 

What groups are supporting this protection?

In addition to my personal endorsement, the Clermont County Republican Party, State Treasurer Robert Sprague, and many more.

Cincinnati Right to Life put out a memo with this paragraph:
A groundswell of organizations including the Ohio Republican Party, Center for Christian Virtue, the National Federation of Independent Business in Ohio, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Restaurant Association, and Ohio Right to Life are mobilizing Ohioans to vote yes on Issue 1. Many recognize that for too long, Ohio’s Constitution has been up for sale to the highest bidder. From casinos to drug-legalization pushers to abortionists, special interests with millions of dollars have targeted the Ohio Constitution because of the ease of amending our state’s founding document.
 
Cincinnati Right to Life 6/22/2023
 
Additionally, a good summary came from Buckeye Firearms:
 
A YES vote on Issue 1 protects our Second Amendment rights from deep-pocketed, out-of-state interests, like anti-gun Mike Bloomberg. So, of course, gun grabbers and the media are spreading lies to get people to vote against it in the upcoming Aug. 8 special election.
One lie is that Issue 1 is radical and undemocratic because it makes it harder to change Ohio’s constitution.

But changing a constitution is supposed to be difficult — more difficult than changing ordinary laws. For example, the founders made it hard to change the U.S. Constitution. To amend it requires a 2/3 vote of both chambers of Congress and a vote of 3/4 of state legislatures.

Most states make it hard to change their constitutions as well. For example, Colorado requires a 55% vote. Florida requires a 60% vote. New Hampshire requires a 66% vote.

And guess what? The Ohio Democratic Party itself requires a vote of 60% to amend its own bylaws, i.e., their party constitution! That’s exactly the same vote threshold Issue 1 calls for to change Ohio’s constitution!

Dean Rieck, Executive Director


Friends of Liberty United (FOLU) put out this statement:
 
Over 30 states already require 60% to amend their state constitution. Issue 1 just aligns Ohio with the majority of other states.

Since 1851, Ohio’s Constitution has been amended 172 times while the US Constitution has been amended only 27 times since 1789! Even a Presidential veto takes a 2/3 vote (@67%) in the House before a bill becomes a law. Ohio has 88 counties. When only 5% of voters signing initiative petition in 44 counties to be required for initiative petitions, this already leaves half (50%) of our counties not represented. If a proposed amendment is good, these new requirements should not be a problem.

Friends of Liberty United (FOLU)
 
Also consider “Why Ohio’s Constitution Should be Hard to Amend.”
Also "Why Governor Dewine will be votine YES on Issue 1"
And “Why Hunters and Sportsmen Should Vote Yes on Issue 1.”
And the “Ohio Farm Bureau supports Issue 1.”
 

Important Dates:


July 10: Voter registration deadline for August 8 election.
July 11: Early in-person voting for August 8 election begins.
August 1: Deadline to request absentee ballot for August 8 election.
August 8: Election Day.

 \

The PCTEA Morns the Passing of our Past President Bob Longshore


Former Portage County TEA Party President, Bob Longshore, passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. He was a true Patriot and Statesman and we were honored to know him and to have worked with him for all of these years.

He was with the Portage County TEA Party from the very start on July 11, 2009 and he contributed to our growth and effectiveness in many ways using his organizational and communications skills. Their was no task that Bob would not take on to help us elect conservatives and defend our nation. As a result he played an integral role in our organization turning Portage County from Solid Democrat Blue in 2009 to Solid Republican Red by 2018.

Bob also founded and ran a very successful non-profit organization called Caring Neighbors United which raised money through it's popular flower sales and other efforts to provide scholarships for Portage County children to attend the popular Liberty Camp for Kids. Through that effort alone hundreds of kids got to attend Liberty Camp over the years.

He made our community, our county, our state and our nation a better place through his many efforts over the many years. We appreciate his military service and that of all the Veterans who have been members of the Portage County TEA Party. He had many friends in the Portage County TEA Party.

We give our sincere condolences to his wife Marge and to all of his family members. May he rest in Eternal Peace. We will miss you Bob Longshore.
 

Huge Red Wave in Portage County on November 8th


Thank you Patriots for KEEPING Portage County Conservative! It was a near sweep yesterday thanks to Portage County Republican Party Chairman Amanda Suffecool, her executive committee and central committee members, the great candidates who ran as Republicans, and YOU the Voters! Thank you also to so many of you who worked at the polls on election day and to all the staff at the Portage County Board of Elections who made sure that we had a fair and smooth election! Here are the results from lasts night:
  • Rep. Gail Pavliga won 22,227 to 21,038 against former representative and county commissioner Kathleen Clyde.
  • Mike Tinlin, former Aurora police chief and Streetsboro city council member, was elected to the county board of commissioners with 34,133 votes to 24,140 against former Portage County NAACP president Geraldine Hayes Nelson.
  • Steve Demetriou will serve as state representative after a large victory against Democrat Lori O’Neill. 
  • Former Mogadore village council member Matt Kellywill take the county auditor seat after defeating Portage County Treasurer Brad Cromes.
  • Judge Laurie Pittman will continue in her position at the court of common pleas, winning 32,889 to 18,359 against Republican challenger Wes Buchanan.

ALL the State and Federal Republican Candidates also won the elections in Portage County including JD Vance and Madison Gesiotto Gilbert and Dave Joyce. Plus all three of the critical Ohio Supreme Court Candidates! All Patriots in Portage County deserve massive credit for rejecting the destructive policies and ideologies of the Communist former Democrat Party and standing for Individual Freedom, Liberty and Prosperity. Congratulations to everyone who voted, ran, and worked to elect these conservative candidates!

For Liberty,

Tom Zawistowski
Executive Director
Portage County TEA Party

Here is the Call to Action for ALL Portage County Conservatives:
The Portage County TEA Party also ask ALL VOTERS to vote for John Hagan for Ohio State School Board in District 9! John has been a warrior fighting against CRT and the destructive "Trans-Agenda" being forced upon our children and grandchildren by the Democrat Communist Controlled Unions!
 

VOTE YES ON BOTH ISSUES 1 & ISSUES 2

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Joint Portage GOP - TEA Party Meeting a Huge Success!

Joint Portage GOP - TEA Party Meeting a HUGE SUCCESS!


One of the largest crowds in years came to the Joint Portage County Republican Party - Portage County TEA Party meeting to meet the local candidates in person, pick up signs and commit to keeping Portage County Red in the November 8th Election which is just 60 DAYS AWAY!



Former Senate Candidate Bernie Morino addresses the Meeting about the Convention of States as Portage Republican Chairman Amanda Suffecool Answers Questions
 

Here is the Call to Action for ALL Portage County Conservatives:

The Portage County TEA Party also ask ALL VOTERS to vote for John Hagan for Ohio State School Board in District 9! John has been a warrior fighting against CRT and the destructive "Trans-Agenda" being forced upon our children and grandchildren by the Democrat Communist Controlled Unions!
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We the People Convention Endorses Mike Gibbons for U.S. Senate

PRESS RELEASE 
 
For Immediate Release: Friday, April 8, 2022 
Contact: Tom Zawistowski, TomZ@WethePeopleConvention.org
 
 

We the People Convention Endorses
Mike Gibbons for U.S. Senate

 
 Akron, OH: Today, Tom Zawistowski, President of the We the People Convention (WTPC), announced that his organization is endorsing Cleveland businessman Mike Gibbons for U.S. Senate in the Republican Primary Election. The Ohio Republican Primary will be held on Tuesday, May 3rd with Early Voting now available.
 
In making the announcement, Zawistowski said, “The We the People Convention is proud to endorse Mike Gibbons for US Senate in the Republican Primary Election as we did in 2018. Mike is with us on all the conservative issues. He is Pro-Family, Pro-Life, Pro-Jobs, Pro-Business, Pro-Parents Rights, Pro-Gun, Pro-Free Speech, Pro-Religious Freedom, Pro-Trump, Pro-MAGA and Anti-Illegal Immigration, Anti-CRT, Anti-Big Government, Anti-Government Mandates, Anti-Deficit Spending, and Anti-Socialism. Importantly, In our opinion, Mike Gibbons is the only conservative candidate who has the financial resources necessary to win not only the Primary but the General Election in November. Like Trump, he cannot be bought by special interests which we rarely see in a conservative candidate. That means, like Trump, if elected, his votes in the Senate will not be swayed by special interest because he only answers to we the voters of Ohio. No small thing.”
 
Zawistowski continued, “When he wasn’t running for anything, Mike Gibbons did not disappear like so many politicians. He stayed with us in 2019 and 2020 and did his part in helping us win Ohio again for President Trump. That tells us a lot about the man and how he feels about our country and our movements efforts to defend individual freedom, liberty and prosperity. Finally, Term limits. Gibbons says he only wants to serve one or two terms. That’s laudable. Lots of politicians say that and then don’t. Mike Gibbons is 66 years old, so he is not going to be in Washington for a long time and yes that is actually important to us. We have no interest in electing any more people to the Senate who will be there for 30 years. Mike Gibbons is conservative, he is competent, he has the demeanor necessary to be an effective Senator, and he will support President Trump and the Make America Great Again agenda.” 
 
Zawistowski concluded, “Based on these reasons, we are confident that we have endorsed the best conservative candidate who can win in the US Senate race and that is Mike Gibbons. I personally ask all of our members, and all real Republicans and Trump supporters in Ohio, to not only get out and vote for Mike Gibbons, but to put up signs and volunteer to help his campaign. You can learn more at www.gibbonsforohio.com .”
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We the People Convention Endorses Jim Renacci for Ohio Governor

PRESS RELEASE 
 
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 2, 2022 
Contact: Tom Zawistowski, TomZ@WethePeopleConvention.org
 
 

We the People Convention Endorses
Jim Renacci for Ohio Governor

 
Akron, OH: Today, Tom Zawistowski, President of the We the People Convention (WTPC) and Executive Director of the Portage County TEA Party, announced that his organization is endorsing Jim Renacci for Ohio Governor in the Republican Primary Election and Joe Knopp as his Lt. Governor.
 
Zawistowski said, "I will be voting for Jim Renacci and Joe Knopp personally and I ask all conservative Republican voters in the Primary to vote for them as well. Mike DeWine does not deserve to be re-elected. DeWine illegally delayed our primary election in 2020. DeWine picked winners and losers during the China virus pandemic and ordered thousands of small businesses to close down by declaring that they were "nonessential" while promoting big box stores as "essential". His thuggish running mate, Jon Husted, brazenly came on our TV's and said that he "would shut off your electricity and natural gas" if your business did not comply with his tyrannical commands to close your business immediately. DeWine and Husted grossly mismanaged the Ohio unemployment system that they knew was broken, and promised to fix, but instead their pathetic efforts delayed critical checks from getting to Ohio families for weeks and months in a time of need while they sent millions of dollars to people who were not eligible. He misused "emergency" powers to violate our Constitutional rights. He sided with the teachers unions over the best interests of our children. DeWine sided with big Pharma and the Ohio Hospital Association and restricted our access to prophylactic treatment to protect against Covid and pushed vaccinations and totally ineffective mask rules. No conservative, no real Republican, certainly no one who supports President Trump's MAGA agenda, can vote for Mike DeWine."
 
Zawistowski continued, "Many people forget that Jim Renacci was the mayor of Wadsworth, Ohio which gives him important executive experience other candidates don't have. Plus, he is a very successful businessman, so he knows how to run large organizations and work with other businesses. Another critical skill for a Governor. Finally he was a U.S. Congressman and so he knows how Washington, DC works, or doesn't. Which also is critical knowledge for anyone who is the governor of a state because so much of the money, too much, comes from Washington, DC to the states - with strings attached. These life experiences make Jim Renacci eminently and uniquely qualified to be Ohio's next Governor and why he is deserving of your vote. We gladly endorse him and Joe Knopp in the upcoming Republican Primary."
 
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