Ohio voters must consider Issue 2, an amendment to the state constitution, about funding for capital infrastructure projects in Tuesday’s primary election.
According to the Ohio Secretary of State website, the amendment has been passed three times since it was authorized in 1987.
Elisabeth Warner, communications director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio (LWV), said Issue 2 is a constitutional amendment that asks voters to continue funding Ohio’s capital improvement programs. The total amount requested is $2.5 billion through general obligation bonds.
According to the Ohio Legislature, a general obligation bond is secured through “the issuer’s general taxing powers.”
Warner said funded projects include things like water treatment plants and repairs to bridges, roads and sewage plants.
“If Issue 2 does not pass, the program goes away,” Warner said. “The state would have to figure out a different way to handle ongoing maintenance issues with all of these projects.”
Representative of District 47 Diane Mullins said the amendment will not raise taxes and will open up jobs for trade skills. She also said the money must be applied for. Mullins’ district includes Oxford.
“I am for Issue 2,” Mullins said.
Warner said LWV has not taken a position on Issue 2.
“The issues that we would endorse would be specific to our mission,” Warner said. “So, things that would impact voters, the way our government works or democracy.”
According to the website of the Ohio Legislature, the amendment vote was adopted by a large majority. Between both the Ohio House and Senate, only five members of the General Assembly objected to the adoption of the amendment.
“This is one of the very rare things that almost the whole General Assembly voted in favor of getting [something] signed to the ballot,” Warner said.
Warner said primary elections and special elections have a much lower voter turnout compared to the big election years, like last year’s presidential election. She said the reports ahead of the upcoming election are “not great.”
“People don’t always understand or have an interest in what’s happening at the state and local level as they do about what’s happening at the federal level,” Warner said.
Aside from Issue 2, Warner said local election results, like school levies and different public service funding, directly impact residents. Oxford residents do not have tax levies on the May 6 ballot.
She said many of the levies on the ballot during the special election failed in November.
“Local elections are hugely important,” Warner said.
Warner said if the amendment passes, the state will not use any of the funding for sports facilities. She said rumors spread that a portion of the $2.5 billion would be used to build the new Cleveland Browns stadium but that it’s not true.
Butler County Board of Elections has more information on voting locations and access to sample ballots.
