Ohio governor candidates Mike DeWine, Nan Whaley both 'yes' on Issue 1, Issue 2

From gun control to abortion, Gov. Mike DeWine and his Democratic challenger Nan Whaley don't agree on much. But they are both voting "yes" on statewide ballot initiatives involving cash bail and noncitizens voting.

Ohio Issue 1 would require judges to consider multiple factors when setting bail for individuals accused of a crime. Bail is money or conditions set to ensure the person accused of a crime appears for court proceedings. Those factors include public safety, criminal records, the seriousness of the offense and the likelihood that the person will show up for court.

Ohio's GOP-controlled Legislature put the question on November's ballot in response to a divided Ohio Supreme Court decision, which limited what judges could consider when setting cash bail.

Ohio election 2022: What to know about Ohio Issue 1 on November 2022 ballot

“Public safety, although of the utmost importance, is not a factor relevant to the calculation of the bail amount,” the Ohio Supreme Court wrote in a 4-3 decision. “A court may not impose excessive bail for the purpose of keeping an accused in jail.”

Whaley, a former Dayton mayor, disagrees with the Ohio Supreme Court's assessment and backs Issue 1.

“I think that judges should look into whether someone’s going to be unsafe for the community. That makes sense," Whaley told the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau. “The issue of community safety is something that’s really important to me. Again, it goes back to gun safety, frankly, and you know DeWine won’t do that.”

Whaley has criticized DeWine for signing bills to ax mandatory training for concealed guns, reduce training needed to arm teachers and eliminate a requirement that people attempt to flee before shooting another person. Those weren't the policies she envisioned when Dayton mourners begged DeWine to "do something" following a mass shooting there in August 2019.

But Whaley is on the same side as DeWine on Issue 1. The incumbent governor backs the constitutional amendment.

Mike DeWine, Nan Whaley agree noncitizens shouldn't vote in local elections

DeWine and Whaley both support Ohio Issue 2, which would prevent people who are not U.S. citizens from voting in local elections. Noncitizens cannot vote in federal and statewide elections, but places like Yellow Springs proposed allowing them to vote in local races.

GOP lawmakers wanted to nip that in the bud, putting the issue before voters this November. Several Democratic lawmakers opposed the measure, writing that the "unnecessary constitutional amendment is cloaked in fear and false patriotism."

"This is a solution looking for a problem," Whaley said. "But yeah, U.S. citizens should be the people that should vote in elections."

What is State Issue 2? What is State Issue 2? Ohioans to decide on noncitizens' voting rights

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mike DeWine, Nan Whaley both voting 'yes' on Ohio Issue 1 and 2