Advocates failed to win approval for four electoral reforms on the ballot in a year tainted by scandals in Ohio government, including an investment scheme in a rare coin fund, dubbed “Coingate,” and Gov. Bob Taft’s (R) guilty pleas for not reporting dozens of free golf outings with lobbyists.- Redistricting (lost 70-30) - would have taken the power to draw legislative and congressional districts away from a panel of five elected officials and put it in the hands of non-politicians.
- Absentee ballots (lost 63-37) - would have let voters cast absentee ballots as early as 35 days before an election without giving a reason
- Campaign finance (lost 67-33) - would have rescinded higher contribution limits passed by legislators last year
- Elections (lost 70-30) - would have created a State Board of Elections to oversee voting, taking the duty away from the secretary of state
For more information:
Election results
Ballot material for Issue 1 (passed 54-46), a bonding proposal for infrastructure improvements
Jobs for Ohio, which backs Issue 1
Cincinnati Right to Life, which opposes all of the ballot measures
Reform Ohio Now, a group supporting Issues 2-5
Ohio First Voter Education Fund, which opposes the election-related initiatives
Web resources on election reforms compiled by The Ohio State University’s law school
Angry Kerry supporters seek Ohio reform
GOP has a lot riding on Issue 4
Send your comments on this story to letters@stateline.org. Selected reader feedback will be posted in the Letters to the editor section.
Powered by