What is State Issue 2?

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Election day is next week, and there are two complicated questions on the ballot for voters to decide on in Ohio.

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News Center 7′s John Bedell breaks down what you need to know about State Issue 2.

On Issue 2, Ohio voters will decide whether non-U.S. citizens can vote in local elections. It’s a proposed constitutional amendment.

Federal law prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections.

The Ohio constitution bars non-citizens from voting in state elections, but, an Ohio Supreme Court ruling from 1917 does allow local municipalities the final say over voting rights in local elections.

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If Issue 2 passes with enough “yes” votes, it would make it clear that a city’s home rule authority in Ohio does not override state law that says only adult, U.S citizens can vote.

The push for this ballot issue started because of something in the Miami Valley. In 2019, the Village of Yellow Springs voted to allow non-citizens to vote in local elections.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose stopped that initiative from going into effect.

Opponents wanting “no” votes, including the mayor of Yellow Springs, say non-citizens live in their community, pay taxes and have children in their school system and should be able to vote on local issues.

Supporters pushing for “yes” votes say it’s common sense that only U.S. citizens can vote and that any workarounds that could mean otherwise should be changed.

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