To help you sort out the issues here is some information about important issues on the ballot tomorrow in Central Ohio and around the state. Feel free to print this out and take it with you to the polls. This website does not receive any compensation and is not affiliated with any political party or candidate. The views expressed here are solely those of the author.
Official GOP Slate Cards
State Issues
- Issue 1: Third Frontier Bond Issue
Recommend: Vote No!
Why? In a state where our spending is already out of control, we do not need more state sponsored bonds that will go to fund special interest run businesses. Bob Taft wishes to gain more control over the state's businesses and money and direct which private industries get public funding. By reducing taxes and regulation the market will efficiently direct investment and education to the most efficient businesses.
Results: Passed - Issue 2: Broaden Absentee Voting Access
Recommend: Vote No!
Why?: This bill unnecessarily opens a 35 day window for the general public voting period. If a large number of voters take advantage of early voting, the resulting situation highly favors large political party candidates with the most funding who can afford to get their message out early and sustain the effort for more than a month before the election. You likely have only been intently interested in the issues for about a week. A great deal of information and opinion formation occurs just days or hours before an election, and lengthening the voting window to 35 days creates an impossible situation for less well known candidates.
Result: Failed. - Issue 3: Campaign contribution reform
Recommend: Vote No!
Why?: Just look at the length of the ballot text: 945 words!! If you can understand this amendment you are a better person than I. This makes campaign contributions very complicated and only candidates with a large staff will be able to handle the 24 hour turn around time for the mandatory reporting. This amendment does not favor democracy.
Result: Failed. - Issue 4: Congressional Redistricting
Recommend: Vote No!
Why?: Another complicated bill designed to keep the general public from understanding the legislative process. It does seem to me that it is a bad idea to put the redistricting powers in the hands of appointed individuals.
Result: Failed. - Issue 5: Elections Board
Recommend: Vote No!
Why?: See Issue 4. Today we each have an opportunity to vote for the Secretary of State and every 4 years the public can influence the policy of our state elections. Shifting this responsibility to an appointed board will remove the power from the people and hide the elections policy behind another layer of untouchable bureaucracy.
Result: Failed.
Local Issues & Candidates - Franklin County
- Clerk of Courts
Recommend: Mike Pirick.
Why?: This Republican incumbent implemented many e-services while in office and customer service is his #1 issue.
Result: Tyack. - Municipal Court Judge
- Judge Mike Brandt
- Judge Amy Salerno
- Isabella Thomas
- Judge Dwayne Maynard
- Judge Dwayne Maynard
- Judge Amy Salerno
- Judge Michael Brandt
- Judge Andrea Peebles
- ADAMH Tax Levy Replacement
Recommend: Vote No!
Why?: As best I can tell, the county is not an efficient medical provider. The money would be better spent with a charity or private provider.
Result: Passed
Recommend:
Why?: Because they are Republican. Absent any personal contact with these judges it is practically impossible to tell how they will serve and where they stand on any issues. So all I can do is hope the political party does the best job possible in picking great candidates.
Result:
City of Dublin - Issues & Candidates
- City Council - Ward 2
Recommend: Amy Salay
Why?: A stay-at-home mom who helped implement the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the police. The challenger, Richard Gerber, favors raising taxes to increase the number of city services, increase green space and remove all of our remaining private property rights. (That last part was my interpretation reading between the lines.)
Result: Elected - Dublin School Board
Recommend:- Bill Burton
- Stuart Harris
- Lisa Huang
Why?: These candidates favor honors and AP classes and wish to raise the level of performance.
Result:- Stu Harris
- Gwen Callendar
- Lynn May
- Washington Township Trustee
Recommend:- Chuck Kranstuber
Why?: Highly experienced and in favor of efficient, high quality services. - Denise King
Why?: Incumbent and efficient. Helped install red light management for EMS vehicles.
Result: Elected! - Chuck Kranstuber
For more information please visit these websites:
Dublin Suburban News
Franklin County Board of Elections
Ohio Secretary of State
Ohio GOP - Arguments against Issues 2 - 5
Ohio Libertarian Party Analysis of Issues 1 - 5
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