Trending
On Tuesday, Ohioans will head to the polls to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to require a supermajority of 60% voter support to change the state's constitution. As we noted last week, a 'Yes' vote makes good sense despite the poor timing from state lawmakers to hold a $20 million special election in August.
It's also worth noting that voters have taken notice of the importance of this election. Early predictions of low voter turnout are proving wrong.
Along with the higher threshold for constitutional amendments to pass, Issue 1, if approved, would require proposed constitutional amendments to have signatures of at least 5% of those who voted in the last gubernatorial election from all of the state's 88 counties to qualify for the ballot rather than the current 44-county minimum.
Early voting turnout for the election has been strong statewide. Certainly, such an important change never should be made by the woefully low turnout that generally plagues August elections.
In fact, it was the consistently low August voter turnout that led the Ohio Legislature to vote this year to remove all special August elections in Ohio except for under a very few unique circumstances.
That's why many were disappointed at the decision from our state's Republican lawmakers when they decided, instead, to go ahead with this measure.
Local boards of elections leaders now tell us that early voter interest for the Aug. 8 special election has election directors expecting turnout to be on par with a typical general election in an odd-numbered year, or a nonpresidential primary.
So, whether you support or oppose Issue 1, we urge you to get out and make your voice heard.
If you've already voted or made arrangements to cast your ballot, we applaud you.
Such an important decision must not be made by a small percentage of voters.
It's time to vote, Ohio.