STEUBENVILLE –­­­ A local Steubenville coalition of labor, faith and good government advocates held a press conference Wednesday to announce their unified opposition to State Issue 1 and why voting “no” in August will protect majority rule and preserve the sacred principle of one person one vote in Ohio.

“The members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 246 are part of a larger coalition of building trades women and men across Ohio who number 100,000. And for the record, let me make it crystal clear. We are Voting No against Issue 1 on August 8 to protect majority rule, plain and simple,” said Kevan Brown, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 246 president.

“Issue 1 is undemocratic because it gives 40 percent of the people the ability to block the majority. That’s unfair. We are going to vote No on Issue 1 on August 8,” said Jim Marquis, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Fort Steuben Lodge 1.

“We’re voting No on August 8 because Issue 1 permanently shreds our constitution. We are going to protect majority rule. We are going to preserve the sacred principle of one person, one vote. We’re going to stand up to the powerful forces of corruption in Columbus and let them know the real power rests with the people of Ohio and the people of Ohio are voting No on Issue 1 on August 8,” said John Saunders, United Steelworkers International staff representative.

“Voting No on Issue 1 is a vote to protect our rights and the sacred principle of one person, one vote. It will stop special interests from ending majority rule, and it will protect our freedom to determine our future. Why are the politicians in Columbus so intent to take away our freedoms? Power, pure and simple. When politicians fail us, ballot issues give us the freedom to make decisions that affect our lives,” said Catherine Turcer, Common Cause Ohio.