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We are very pleased to report that it now appears the critical importance of the effects of Issue 1 on future attempts to amend Ohio's constitution has not been lost on voters.
In fact, early predictions of miserably low voter turnout for the Aug. 8 special election are proving to be very wrong.
Bravo!
The vote on state Issue 1, of course, is to change the percentage of votes required for future amendments to the Ohio Constitution. If approved, future constitutional amendment proposals would need 60 percent support to pass rather than the current simple majority.
Also, if Issue 1 is passed, effective Jan. 1, 2024, proposed constitutional amendments would need at least 5 percent 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.
Issue 1 is the only item on the Aug. 8 special election ballot and needs a simple majority to pass.
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 we, like so many other Ohio voters, were sorely disappointed at the hypocritical decision from our state's Republican lawmakers when they decided, instead, to go ahead with this measure, costing taxpayers more than $20 million, all in an apparent rush to see Ohio's constitution changed to limit the way in which constitutional amendments may be made in the future.
The public was not taking this decision lightly, and whether folks like it or hate it, they seem to be making their opinions heard at the polls.
Local boards of elections leaders now tell us that early voter interest for the Aug. 8 special election has Mahoning Valley election directors expecting turnout to be on par with a typical general election in an odd-numbered year, or a nonpresidential primary.
"It's pretty amazing for a special election," said Stephanie Penrose, Trumbull County Board of Elections director. "It's pacing like a general election. It's even on pace with the gubernatorial primary last year. This has captured people's interest."
"There's a lot of interest in this race," Tom McCabe, Mahoning County Board of Elections director, said. "This is going to be better than most odd-year primaries and could potentially be close to what we get in primaries with governor races."
McCabe, who also is chairman of the Mahoning County Republican Party, said the party can't keep the yard signs at headquarters supporting Issue 1 in stock.
So, whether you, as a voter, support or oppose Issue 1, we urge you to get out and make your voice heard now during early voting at your local board of elections office, or Aug. 8 at your local polling place.
If you've already voted or made arrangements to cast your ballot, we applaud you.
Indeed, such an important decision must not be made by a small percentage of voters.
editorial@vindy.com