State Issue 2 proposes that all registered voters be allowed to vote absentee – either in person at their county board of elections, or by mail – anytime during the 35 days prior to an election. This is commonly known as “no-excuse absentee balloting.” If passed, State Issue 2 would remove the current legal requirement that voters must be unable to make it to the polls in order to receive an absentee ballot.

Voters will still have the option – if they choose – to cast their ballots in person at a physical polling booth on Election Day.

On October 19, 2005 the Ohio General Assembly passed a bill that will change Ohio's current absentee voting system to offer no-fault absentee voting.  Once this bill is signed into law by the Governor, all Ohioans will have the opportunity to vote early beginning in 2006.  State Issue 2, if passed, will make permanent changes to Ohio's constitution and supersede this new law, eliminating the identification requirements that were built into the law to decrease election fraud.

(Ohio law requires the Secretary of State to gather arguments for each state issue from proponents and arguments against from opponents. Excerpts from these arguments on Issue 2 follow.)

AGAINST:

Vote No on Issue 2 for the following reasons.

• First, the adoption of this amendment is likely to lead to a significant increase in cases of fraudulent voting in Ohio, as experienced in other states that have adopted similar proposals. The proposed amendment does not contain a reliable method to protect the integrity of votes cast early, nor does it provide adequate safeguards to ensure that only eligible and qualified voters would be able to use these procedures.
   
• Second, this amendment is not necessary because Ohio law already contains generous absentee voting provisions. Currently, any Ohio voter with a legitimate reason for being absent on Election Day can obtain an absentee ballot. In fact, there are 16 reasons that allow absentee voting under current Ohio law, including: military service; health and physical disability issues; work related issues; being age 62 or older; or, simply that the voter expects to be absent from the county on Election Day for personal reasons.
   
• Third, the proposed amendment does not ensure that every Ohioan will have the same opportunity to vote early. The amendment does not establish a statewide standard that must be followed for designation of times and locations for early voting. The rules governing early voting could vary widely from county to county, because the amendment gives each county Board of Elections the discretion to designate the times and locations for early voting.

FOR:

Vote YES to expand to all Ohio registered voters the option to vote up to 35 days prior to Election Day by mail or in person at the appropriate local board of elections.

Long lines at voting booths in recent years, inclement weather and work demands of Ohioans have discouraged some citizens from voting on Election Day. Issue 2 will make voting more convenient and easier for all Ohioans. Currently, only a few categories of persons are permitted to vote early by absentee ballot.

Issue 2 will allow all Ohioans to vote by mail.

Issue 2 will allow all Ohioans to vote in person at their local board of elections.

Issue 2 will allow Ohioans to vote up to 35 days prior to Election Day

Issue 2 will make voting more convenient and increase the opportunity to vote.

Issue 2 will increase voter participation by Ohioans in elections.

Increased participation in elections will make government more accountable to the people of Ohio and combat undue influence by a few and the corruption that currently pervades state government.

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