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Issue 2, Ohio’s bond program funding local infrastructure projects, cruises to an early win

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (Statehouse News Bureau) — In an election with turnout under 10% in some areas, the lone statewide issue on Ohio’s May primary ballot passed easily. The vote for Issue 2, which allows the state to issue $2.5 billion in bonds for local infrastructure projects, was called early in the evening. The issue was leading with around 70% of the vote, and the Associated Press called the election soon after the polls closed.

Traffic cones line a road
[sportpoint | shutterstock.com]
Issue 2 renews the State Capital Improvements Program, which helps fund local road, bridge and water and sewer projects. It had to be approved as a constitutional amendment because the 1851 Ohio constitution limits the state’s borrowing power to $750,000. The bond program has been approved three times since it was initially passed in 1987. The state’s borrowing authority over the 10-year period has gradually grown, from $1.2 billion in 1987 to the requested $2.5 billion this time.

More than 80 organizations had come out in favor of Issue 2, including the Ohio Mayors Alliance, the Ohio County Commissioners and the County Engineers Association of Ohio.

There was little organized opposition, but five conservative Republican lawmakers voted against putting it on the ballot in December. And there was some concern about possible confusion over whether Issue 2 was connected to the $600 million in bonds for a domed stadium and development for the Cleveland Browns in Brook Park. That bond package is in the budget passed by House Republicans last month. Issue 2 supporters stressed the funds can only be used for roads, bridges and water projects and not for a professional sports facility.

Turnout among Ohio’s 8,205,338 registered voters is expected to be very low. As of the final day of early voting on Sunday, 181,541 ballots had been cast.