The Issues

Issue One - Determining Bail Amount Based on Public Safety Amendment (2022)

Issue one would remove the requirement that bail amounts and conditions be set by the Supreme Court and require courts to consider "public safety, including the seriousness of the offense, and a person's criminal record, the likelihood a person will return to court, and any other factor the general assembly may prescribe" when setting bail. 

What are the arguments?

Arguments For: 

Supporters from the statehouse have emphasized the need for public safety and that presumed innocence from the courts does not ignore those who pose a potential threat to public safety. 

Arguments Against: 

In opposition, it’s argued that prosecutors can keep suspects in jail and judges can hold defendants without bail or with non-financial conditions. 

What would my vote mean?

A vote “yes” would support requiring courts to consider public safety, the seriousness of the offense, and a person's criminal record, the likelihood a person will return to court when setting bail. 

A vote “no” would oppose the consideration of public safety, the seriousness of the offense, and a person's criminal record, the likelihood a person will return to court when setting bail. 

For more on Issue 1 read The New Political’s reporting here.

Issue Two - Citizen Voting Requirement Amendment (2022)

 Issue two modifies the Ohio Constitution to prohibit potential voters who don’t meet certain qualifications from voting in local elections. This particularly focuses on noncitizens and voting in local elections.

The qualifications are: being older than 18 years-old, being a resident of the state or local municipalities, having been registered to vote for thirty days and having the qualifications of the elector.

According to Ballotpedia, the Ohio Constitution says that “‘every citizen of United States… is entitled to vote at all elections.’ This amendment would amend the section to ‘Only a citizen of the United States is entitled to vote at all elections.’”

What are the arguments?

 Arguments for Issue Two are that only American citizens should be allowed to vote in elections and that this action will protect election integrity. 

Arguments against Issue Two are that immigrants serve their communities and are members of their communities, so they should be able to vote locally.

What will my vote mean?

A vote “yes” is in favor of prohibiting noncitizens or those who do not meet the elector qualifications to vote in local elections.

A vote “no” is in favor of noncitizens and those who do not meet the elector qualifications to vote in local elections.