COLUMBUS – Voters will see three statewide issues on their ballots for the Nov. 3 general election legalizing marijuana, changing the way the state draws political boundaries and prohibiting the state’s constitution from being changed to allow the formation of monopolies.
Secretary of State Jon Husted’s office announced Tuesday that the Ohio Ballot Board approved ballot language for the proposed constitutional amendments.
Issue 1 would replace the current system of drawing Ohio House and Senate districts with a system believed to be less partisan and which lawmakers hope will reduce “gerrymandering” and create more competitive races.
Issue 2 would prohibit any amendment to the state constitution granting anyone a “monopoly, oligopoly, or cartel” in Ohio. The measure also prohibits any such proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot from taking effect, a reference to Issue 3, which legalizes marijuana use for medicinal and recreational purposes and establishes 10 growing sites around the state, creating what opponents say amounts to a monopoly on the marijuana business in Ohio.
Husted has said that, if voters approve Issue 2, it will automatically cancel out Issue 3.
Some of the ballot language was met with immediate criticism.
The backers of Issue 3, ResponsibleOhio, says it will take its complaint to the Ohio Supreme Court.
“The ballot language assigned to the Marijuana Legalization Amendment, Issue 3, is clearly biased and gives preference to the arguments of marijuana reform opponents. The language is inaccurate and strategically worded as to misguide voters,” said the group’s legal counsel, former Ohio Supreme Court Andy Douglas.
Columbus Sen. Charleta Tavares criticized Husted for writing an argument against Issue 2 she says “includes inflammatory words that do not accurately reflect the view of opponents.”
In a statement issued by her office, Tavares claimed the language drafted by Husted’s office might influence voters to approve the measure, which she says limits Ohioans’ ability to amend the constitution and which might have “unintended consequences.”
“Ohio voters deserve to hear two opposing points of view when they are deciding how to cast their ballots,” she said.
Tavares says, since Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) and House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) decided not to appoint anyone to write the opposition argument, she and Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) submitted one, but the Ballot Board rejected it.