2022 Ohio Issue 2
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Citizenship Voting Requirement Amendment | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Source: Ohio Secretary of State | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elections in Ohio |
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Issue 2, also known as the Citizenship Voting Requirement Amendment, was a
Supporters of the measure claimed it protected "the integrity of elections," and would make elections more efficient administratively. Opponents claimed it "enhanced democracy," that it perpetuated election fraud claims.[2]
The ballot measure passed with 76.90% of the vote.[3]
Background
Before the election, the
In 2019, the Ohio town of Yellow Springs voted under a similar referendum to allow non-citizens to vote. However, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose criticized the result, calling it unconstitutional. This led to Republican lawmakers tabling the ballot measure.[4] The ballot measure required a simple majority to pass.
According to the 2020 United States census, around 2% of Ohio's resident population were non-citizens.[2]
Campaign
Support and Opposition
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose supported the measure, saying that giving non-citizens voting rights "undermine the value of what it means to be American."[5]
Democratic state representative Michael J. Skindell claimed that non-citizens contribute to society, and that "they have a right to have a voice, and we should allow that."[6] Additionally, some opponents have argued that the ballot measure supported claims of voter fraud.[2]
Polling
Pre-election polling suggested that Issue 2 was likely to pass by a considerable margin.[7]
Contents
The ballot measure altered Section 1 of Article V, Section 3 of Article X, and Section 3 of Article XVIII of the
The proposal appeared on the ballot as follows:[1]
- Require that only a citizen of the United States, who is at least 18 years of age and who has been a legal resident and registered voter for at least 30 days, can vote at any state or local election held in this state.
- Prohibit local governments from allowing a person to vote in local elections if they are not legally qualified to vote in state elections.
If passed, the amendment will be effective immediately.
Results
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 Yes
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3,099,868 | 76.90 |
| No | 931,205 | 23.10 |
| Valid votes | 4,031,073 | 95.95 |
| Invalid or blank votes | 170,295 | 4.05 |
| Total votes | 4,201,368 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 8,029,950 | 52.32 |
| Source: Ohio Secretary of State | ||
References
- ^ a b c d "Issue 2 Proposed Constitutional Amendment TO PROHIBIT LOCAL GOVERNMENT FROM ALLOWING NON-ELECTORS TO VOTE" (PDF). Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Wu, Titus (September 19, 2022). "Ohio Issue 2: What to know about the amendment on who can vote". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ "2022 OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS". ohiosos.gov. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ Weldon, Casey (November 4, 2022). "Issue 2: Ballot amendment to decide who cities can let vote". Spectrum News. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ "SECRETARY LAROSE ISSUES STATEMENT ON PROPOSED OHIO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT REAFFIRMING THE RIGHT TO VOTE IS FOR U.S. CITIZENS ONLY". ohiosos.gov. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ Smyth, Julie Carr. "Ohio GOP Wants Noncitizen Voting Ban on November Ballot". USNews. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ Bruck, Taylor (September 29, 2022). "What you need to know about Issue 1 and 2 this November". Spectrum News. Retrieved August 24, 2023.