Ballot Guide
G E T E D U C A T E D
Ohio citizens have the right to amend our state’s laws and constitution by approving a simple majority vote. On November 7, 2023 you’ll have the opportunity to decide on two consequential ballot initiatives – one that would amend the Ohio constitution and another that would amend the Ohio Revised Code.
Reproductive rights are on the ballot
STATEWIDE ISSUE 1
Officially known as “The Ohio Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety,” you’ll be asked to vote either for or against this amendment to Ohio’s constitution. A “yes” vote is in favor of the amendment and a “no” vote is opposed to the amendment, which would do the following:
- Guarantee every citizen has “a right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions, including but not limited to decisions on contraception, fertility treatment, continuing one’s own pregnancy, miscarriage care, and abortion;”
- Prohibit the state from burdening, penalizing, prohibiting, interfering with, or discriminating against “either an individual’s voluntary exercise of this right or a person or entity that assists an individual exercising this right;”
- Allow the state to prohibit abortion after fetal viability, except in cases when it’s determined in by “professional judgment of the pregnant patient’s treating physician it is necessary to protect the pregnant patient’s life or health;”
Argument FOR Issue 1:
If Issue 1 passes, individuals and families across Ohio will be given constitutional protection to make their own reproductive health decisions, including decisions regarding abortions and contraception, without the interference of state government. If Issue 1 fails, the state may criminalize abortion even in cases of rape, incest, or when a pregnant person’s life is at risk.
Argument AGAINST Issue 1:
If Issue 1 passes, pregnancies can be legally terminated, including in instances when parents aren’t notified of a minor’s decision to do so, up until the point of fetal viability
Recreational Marijuana is on the ballot
STATEWIDE ISSUE 2
Titled “An Act to Control and Regulate Adult Use Cannabis,” this initiative, if approved, would amend the Ohio Revised Code (state law) regarding recreational use of marijuana. A “yes” vote is in favor of the act and a “no” vote is opposed to the act. This act would do the following:
- Legalize “sales and use of adult use cannabis for adult use consumers;”
- Create the Division of Cannabis Control, which will have the authority to “license, regulate, investigate, and penalize adult use cannabis operators, adult use testing laboratories, and individuals required to be licensed;”
Argument FOR Issue 2:
If Issue 2 passes, Ohioans will have greater access will generate new tax revenue, remedy failed marijuana policies of the past, and further expand access for those with medical conditions that don’t currently qualify for legal medical use.
Argument AGAINST Issue 2:
If Issue 2 passes, Ohioans, and especially children and teens, will be further exposed to marijuana and the potential for abuse and harmful health consequences that comes with it. With more Ohioans able to legally use marijuana, there will likely be an increase in impaired drivers on the roads and injuries in the workplace as a result.
Participatory Budgeting is on the ballot
CITY OF CLEVELAND ISSUE 38
Titled “Amendment to charter to enable People’s Budget process, allocate funds on an annual basis to the People’ Budget fund, and permanently establish the People’s Budget steering committee.” If approved, this city amendment would give Cleveland residents the ability to directly decide how 2% of the city budget is spent each year. A “yes” vote is in favor of the amendment and a “no” vote is opposed to the amendment. This amendment would do the following:
- Allow City of Cleveland residents to directly participate in a process to decide how 2% (currently about $14 million) of the city’s annual budget will be allocated
- Create an 11-member committee to lead this process, with appointments to be made by the mayor’s office and city council
Argument FOR Issue 38:
If Issue 38 passes, Clevelanders will have an avenue to directly decide how a portion of local tax dollars are spent on projects and initiatives impacting their neighborhood. In turn, this participatory budgeting process will encourage greater civic engagement at the local level.
Argument AGAINST Issue 38:
If Issue 38 passes, budgeting decisions will be taken away from elected officials who were already voted in to make these decisions. There is a fear this will lead to municipal budget cuts that could result in layoffs of first responders and elimination of other vital city services.
Cuyahoga County Tax Levy
CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
If approved by Cuyahoga County voters, this tax levy would renew a 2.1-mill levy with a 0.4-mill increase. A “yes” vote is in favor of the levy and a “no” vote is opposed to the levy. This levy would do the following:
- Tax property owners $1.17 per month (or roughly $14 per year) for each $100,000 of property value, effective for ten years beginning in 2024
- Estimated to raise over $74 million annually to keep higher education affordable for county residents
Argument FOR the Tax Levy:
Approving the tax levy would be consistent with what Cuyahoga County voters have approved in the past. For just over a dollar a month per $100,000 of property value, significant funds will be raised towards keeping higher education affordable and accessible for all county residents.
Argument AGAINST the Tax Levy:
Approving the levy would impose a tax on Cuyahoga County residents who don’t necessarily attend or directly benefit from Cuyahoga Community College.
