Editor’s note: The Portager publishes letters to the editor from the community. The opinions expressed are published not because they necessarily reflect those of the publication but because we feel they contribute meaningfully to the local discourse on matters of public interest.
Right now, Ohioans are facing a difficult political landscape where our civil rights are constantly under attack by our own state legislature. But we have a powerful tool to fight back and protect our communities: the citizen-led ballot initiative.
Currently, a grassroots coalition is working to put two vital amendments on the November 2026 ballot: the Equal Rights Amendment and the Right to Marry Amendment.
These amendments are incredibly important for the future of our state. The Equal Rights Amendment would strictly prohibit the state and local governments from discriminating against Ohioans based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, recovery status, veteran status, and more. The Right to Marry Amendment would finally repeal our state’s outdated, unconstitutional ban on same-sex marriage and ensure Ohio recognizes and treats all marriages equally.
Enshrining these protections in our constitution ensures that our rights cannot be stripped away at the whim of lawmakers. It guarantees that all Ohioans can live, work, and raise their families here without fear of state-sponsored harassment.
What we’re up against: We have a massive task ahead of us. To get these amendments on the November ballot, we need to collect hundreds of thousands of signatures across the state by this summer, including a goal of over 10,500 signatures right here in Portage County alone. At the same time, we are working against a legislature that has actively tried to make citizen-led initiatives harder to pass.
But we can do this—it just takes community effort. Here is how you can easily add your signature to the petitions:
- Catch me at the Kent Gazebo/DORA: I will be hosting casual "pop-up" signature hours every other Thursday this spring: April 9, April 23, May 7, and May 21.
- Book an appointment with me: I want to make this as easy as possible for you. You can book a time on my calendar for a quick "porch sign" at your home, or we can meet at a local coffee shop or public place.
- Find another signing event: If those options don't work, you can check the statewide Signing Events Page to find an upcoming event near you.
We also need your help! We are always looking for volunteer signature collectors. If the idea of approaching strangers sounds intimidating, don't worry—you don't have to! You can become a collector just to gather signatures from your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. This movement is all about personal connections, and every single signature counts.
To learn more about the amendments and read the full text, please visit OhioEqualRights.org.
Let's protect our neighbors and build a more equitable Ohio.
Sincerely,
Max Swartout
Letter to the editor
The Portager publishes a range of opinions from the community. To submit a letter to the editor, write to editors@theportager.com.