Reader's Viewpoint: There's a good reason Issue 1 faces bipartisan opposition

The Times-Reporter
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Reader opinion
Reader opinion

I am writing to encourage a no vote on state Issue 1, which will be the only issue on the ballot in a special election on Aug. 8. This issue changes the required threshold for all future state issues from 50% citizen approval to 60% citizen approval. There have been critical infrastructure issues in the past that have been approved with less than 60% of the vote. This issue could jeopardize infrastructure funding and hamper future progress in Ohio.

Issue 1 will reduce my rights as a voter, since a minority of 40% of the voters could be in control. I am not the only one who believes Issue 1 is a bad idea. The following have publicly stated the Aug. 8 issue is a bad idea:

  • Robert Taft, former Republican governor

  • Ted Strickland, former Democratic governor

  • John Kasich, former Republican governor

  • Dick Celeste, former Democratic governor

  • Nancy Rogers, former Democratic attorney general

  • Betty Montgomery, former Republican attorney general

  • Lee Fisher, former Democratic attorney general

  • Jim Petro, former Republican attorney general

  • Rich Cordray, former Democratic attorney general

Please exercise your right to vote on or before Aug. 8. I encourage you to vote no on Issue 1 and retain majority rule in Ohio.

Joe Bachman of New Philadelphia and Tuscarawas County engineer.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Reader's Viewpoint: Vote no on Issue 1 to retain majority rule in Ohio