Ohio GOP, tea party groups promoting anti-individual mandate amendment

The Ohio Republican Party has joined forced with tea party groups from across the state in an effort to place a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 8 ballot that would exempt Ohio from the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act (Source: “GOP, tea parties unite to put health care issue on Nov. 8 ballot,” Dayton Daily News, May 4, 2011).

A University of Dayton constitutional law expert said that because state law or state constitution can not supersede federal law, the ballot measure is primarily symbolic. However, supporters contend that the amendment would be directed at any state or federal effort to compel Ohioans to participate in a health care plan.

Amendment supporters have until July 6 to submit petitions to Secretary of State Jon Husted with signatures from 385,245 registered voters. Tea party groups began working on the issue last year and say they already have gathered about 305,000 signatures.