Ohio 2015 General Election and Ballot Issues
With the Ohio General Election 2015 scheduled for November 3, it's time for those who plan to vote either in person or via absentee ballot to become familiar with the state ballot issues and the issues and candidates local to their community. Ohio has only three issues on the ballot, two of which are the most contentious, one seeming to cancel out the other.
Ohio State Ballot Issue 1
State Issue 1 has not received a lot of attention, either from the media or via campaign advertisements. This issue seeks to create a seven person bipartisan committee that would be in charge of redistricting the legislative districts for the Ohio General Assembly only. This issue is on the ballot via the state legislature.
The intention of this issue is to reduce gerrymandering in the redistricting process, requiring a vote of at least four of the seven members for changes to take place.
The current committee is a five-member panel, only one of which must be from the minority party. If the seven-member issue wins, two of those seven members must be from the minority party. In truth, I don't see the sense in making a change, since the majority party will still be able to control the votes in the redistricting. This feels to me like someone's attempt to make voters feel good if they haven't read the fine print.
Ohio State Ballot Issue 2
Oho Issue 2 has also been placed on the ballot by the state legislature and, like Issue 1, would change the state constitution. State Issue 2 would prevent the creation of monopolies through petition to the state of Ohio.
On the face of it, this issue would seem to be a no-brainer -- we all know monopolies are bad things, right? Consider, though, that State Issue 3 would allow 10 farms only initially to grow and sell legal marijuana. If State Issue 2 passes, the licensing of only 10 farms would be seen as creating a monopoly and perhaps bring that issue to a screaming halt.
Interestingly, a TV commercial I've seen on these two issues tells people that if what they really want to do is allow medical marijuana use in Ohio, then those folks should vote no on Issue 3 and yes on Issue 2. The commercial is a bit misleading, since there is nothing in Issue 2 that addresses marijuana, medical or otherwise. That would have to be something brought to the ballot at another time.
Ohio State Ballot Issue 3
State Issue 3 came to the ballot via a petition drive by supporters of legalizing marijuana in the state. Essentially, anyone who wanted to could grow up to four marijuana plants for self use after paying a $50 fee to the state to do so. In addition 10 farms would be licensed by the state to grow and sell the legalized marijuana.
Public use of marijuana is not part of this issue. Smoking marijuana would have to be done at home or in private locations. The state would tax wholesale and manufacturers of legal marijuana at 15 percent, and then a 5 percent tax for those who would buy the recreational drug.
Those who are promoting a "Yes" vote on Issue 3 are also promoting a "No" vote on Issue 2.
Summary on Ohio General Election 2015
There's plenty of time left to research these issues further and become familiar with local issues and candidates prior to sending in absentee ballots, which must be received in the election office by October 31, 2015. For those voting in person, November 3 will be the day to go to the polls. If you don't remember your polling place, contact your local Board of Elections for information.
Resources: Ohio's 2015 Elections ; ballotpedia.org/Ohio
Ohio Voters to Decide Three State Questions ; SanduskyRegister.com; September 28, 2015; Tom Jackson
What's interesting in your local elections?
FOPP - GeneralElection - Ohio --#2015GeneralElection - OhioStateBallotIssues
Image Credit » https://pixabay.com/en/elections-vote-sheet-paper-pen-536656/ by bartek001
Comments
alexdg1 wrote on October 13, 2015, 3:56 PM
Changing topics up a bit: Did you find any good Colombian restaurants in your neck of the woods?
1Feisty56 wrote on October 13, 2015, 6:00 PM
Not yet...I don't often get more than a few miles from home -- but I haven't forgotten!
wolfgirl569 wrote on October 13, 2015, 7:06 PM
There is more to issue 2 than just stopping monopolies Channel 10 news went over it a few weeks ago and to me the rest is kind of scary. You need to read the whole thing. It s giving the state more control on things that I feel they dont need. That is the big part of issue 3 that I dont like, the monopoly but if it passes that can be changed later .
1alexdg1 wrote on October 13, 2015, 7:25 PM
I hope that you do get a chance to experience Colombian cuisine. You'll like it, I'm sure!
1Feisty56 wrote on October 13, 2015, 7:47 PM
Thanks wolfgirl569 for this info. I will look further into it. As it is, I don't see where Issue 1 or Issue 2 helps the citizens of Ohio -- the politicians certainly, but not the average person.
markgraham wrote on October 13, 2015, 7:58 PM
Very informative piece of writing; newspaper worthy I think. I do not live in Ohio but my cousins do near Youngstown.
1Feisty56 wrote on October 13, 2015, 8:42 PM
Thank you. I think it is vital that people have an understanding of the issues before election day.
wolfgirl569 wrote on October 13, 2015, 9:34 PM
I would like to see something stopping anything from having a monopoly as competition is the best way to control prices. But like many things they are only looking out for themselves with this one. You are correct they dont help us any other than that
Paulie wrote on October 14, 2015, 12:13 AM
How do you personally feel about legalizing marijuana in Ohio?
1missfortune wrote on October 14, 2015, 1:03 AM
I'd rather smoke pot to releive my chronic pain than to get hooked on Oxy and morphine (Which is what it seems like everyone wants to happen)
1Shellyann36 wrote on October 15, 2015, 12:17 AM
I really need to get up on all of the issues my state is going to be voting for. Thanks for the reminder.
1Feisty56 wrote on October 18, 2015, 11:02 PM
For me, it's an action that is too many decades long in the making. Marijuana originally became demonized because it is a hemp and hemp threatened industries such a fabric-making and more. The government's infamous propaganda campaign began in the early 1900s. I think some of the people who are concerned about legalizing the use of marijuana have some erroneous impressions of just how prevalent marijuana use would become with legalization. Those who have to pass drug screens to obtain and/or keep jobs would still be subject to such screens because legalized use doesn't mean private businesses will relax their requirements.
Feisty56 wrote on October 18, 2015, 11:04 PM
Your comment brings up an issue I hadn't considered before this: Big Pharma likely has lots of money in lobbying against the legalization of marijuana because it would reduce profits in the big addictive pain medicine industry.
Feisty56 wrote on October 18, 2015, 11:05 PM
You're welcome. The elections can sneak up on us before we have had time to prepare.
1Feisty56 wrote on October 18, 2015, 11:06 PM
The important thing is that you participated in the democratic process and made your voice heard via the ballot. : )
Paulie wrote on October 19, 2015, 4:17 AM
Thanks for your ideas on this. I tried marijuana only once 42 years ago and it didn't do anything for me. Since I worked for the government, I had to stay away from marijuana while I was employed.
1missfortune wrote on October 19, 2015, 4:27 AM
It goes hand in hand with heroin and how the United States government is not handling the "war on drugs" all that effectively. Why? Look at all of the people who are on government benefits / welfare / free housing / food stamps etc because they are an addict, recovering addict or married to someone that is an addict. If someone running for office made waves about the "war on drugs" and actually did something about the Taliban importing it - they would never get elected - hell, they would probably have to bag their own groceries at the store. Big Pharma wants NOTHING to do with legalizing marijuana UNLESS they can make a synthesized strain (which would be perfect for people who need to take a drug test - they take the test and it comes up positive but only for the "approve" strain). Above and beyond anything, the money spent trying to keep heroin out of the USA is never fully accounted for so it's like an ATM with no daily withdrawal limit
1Feisty56 wrote on October 19, 2015, 9:50 AM
A lot of food for thought here. To my way of thinking, it is ludicrous to make a synthetic substitute for a natural substance, but I agree with your reasoning about Big Pharma wanting to do just that. Maybe you'd like to do a post or two with your thoughts? I know I'd be quite interested in reading more.
cheri wrote on October 20, 2015, 12:22 AM
Issues after issues, this is common when election is fast approaching
1Feisty56 wrote on October 20, 2015, 11:44 AM
You're so right, cheri . This is as much a reminder for all to check out their local and state issues on the upcoming ballot as it is these state-specific issues.