In Pennsylvania, an amendment sits in committee that would raise the bar for elected officials to change the state’s constitution.

Lawmakers have to vote on proposed amendments in the House and Senate before they are put on a ballot for voters to make a final decision. House Bill 125 asks that the minimum passing vote in those chambers be two-thirds rather than a simple majority. The bill was proposed in March with 19 co-sponsors.

A similar proposal will bring Ohio voters to the polls in a special election about, coincidentally enough, elections. The issue is an amendment about amendments. The root isn’t abortion — except that it really is.

This is a jelly roll of a ballot question, wrapped in a combination of support and criticism.

The question would move the passing requirement to 60% of voters. That is getting attention for two reasons.

First, the state will face another amendment question in November when voters will decide on a constitutional right to abortion in a state that already has imposed limits on the procedure. Second, support for that amendment is polling at 59%. That makes the 60% line in the sand seem targeted.

That also makes the proposed change to the amendment threshold seem like a partisan trick. But is that fair?

The difference between these proposals? In Ohio, the Republicans want the change. In Pennsylvania, it’s the Democrats.

Much as both sides would like to claim righteous superiority and moral high ground, is that fair to voters? Both parties are playing the same game —attempting to find ways to win outside of the existing political landscape.

Ohio Republicans want to overcome the popular majority. Pennsylvania Democrats want to conquer the seemingly insurmountable obstacle of a resolutely GOP Senate, especially with a House majority that is only theoretical until yet another special election this year.

They should both be careful because nothing in politics stays in one place. The limits placed to restrain an opponent today will hamstring one’s own party tomorrow. And in the meantime, the people are the ones being silenced.